Guerrilla
/ɡəˈrɪlə/
Definitions
2 meaningsA member of a small group of soldiers who are not part of a regular army and who fight against regular armed forces, often by surprise attacks.
/ɡəˈrɪlə/
A member of an irregular military force
The government forces were struggling to contain the guerrilla insurgency.
💡 Simply: Imagine a group of people who are fighting a war, but they don't follow the rules of a regular army. They hide, attack suddenly, and then disappear. Think of it like playing a very strategic hide-and-seek with soldiers. They fight by surprise.
👶 For kids: A guerrilla is like a secret soldier who fights in a sneaky way, not like the big armies.
More Examples
Many guerrilla fighters come from the local population.
The guerrillas used the cover of the forest to their advantage.
How It's Used
"The guerrillas ambushed the convoy in the mountains."
"Guerrillas often operate in areas of political instability."
Relating to or denoting activities performed by an irregular military force.
/ɡəˈrɪlə/
Relating to or denoting activities
They engaged in guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces.
💡 Simply: Describes the *way* a guerrilla fights, like using sneaky tactics or ambushing the enemy. Think of it like the 'style' of fighting: unpredictable and using hit-and-run methods.
👶 For kids: Describes something that a guerrilla does, like fighting in a secret way.
More Examples
Guerrilla tactics involved ambushes and sabotage.
The group adopted a guerrilla approach to resisting the government.
How It's Used
"Guerrilla tactics were employed to disrupt the enemy's supply lines."
"The conflict escalated into a guerrilla war."
Idioms & expressions
guerrilla warfare
A form of irregular warfare in which a small group of combatants, such as armed civilians or irregulars, use military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics, and mobility to fight a larger and less mobile traditional military.
"The rebels adopted guerrilla warfare tactics to combat the superior military force."
From Spanish *guerrilla* (little war), diminutive of *guerra* (war), likely influenced by the Italian *guerra*. It gained prominence during the Peninsular War (1808–1814) where Spanish civilians used irregular tactics against Napoleon's occupying forces.
The term gained popularity during the Peninsular War (1808-1814) when Spanish civilians resisted Napoleon's army.
Memory tip
Think of a *gorilla* (slightly similar sound) using unconventional, hit-and-run tactics – like a guerrilla fighter.