Fist
/fɪst/
Definitions
2 meaningsA hand closed tightly with the fingers bent into the palm.
/fɪst/
A hand closed tightly
He made a fist.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're about to punch a pillow – that shape your hand makes? That's a fist! Like when you're really mad, or when you're celebrating a win.
👶 For kids: A fist is when you close your hand really tight like you're going to punch something (but don't punch anything!).
More Examples
The child held her lollipop tightly in her little fist.
He pounded the table with his fist in frustration.
The statue depicted a powerful figure holding a clenched fist.
How It's Used
"He clenched his fist in anger."
"The boxer raised his fist in triumph after winning the match."
To strike or hit (someone or something) with a clenched hand.
/fɪst/
To strike with the fist
He fisted the wall in anger.
💡 Simply: To hit something, like punching a pillow or someone in a fight (though you shouldn't!).
👶 For kids: To fist means to hit someone with your hand all closed up.
More Examples
The boxer fisted his opponent in the face.
The angry man fisted the door frame.
How It's Used
"He was fisting his opponent."
Idioms & expressions
to have a iron fist
To rule or control someone or something very firmly, even harshly.
"The dictator ruled the country with an iron fist."
to raise one's fist
To threaten violence or show defiance
"The protesters raised their fists in defiance."
From Old English fýst (hand closed tight). Related to Proto-Germanic *fūsti-. Cognates include Dutch vuist, German Faust.
The word 'fist' has been used since Old English times, initially referring simply to the closed hand, and later evolving into the concept of using the closed hand to hit someone.
Memory tip
Think of a tightly closed hand as a 'fist'.