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guerrilla

Pronunciation: /gəˈrɪlə/
(also guerilla)
Translate guerrilla | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of guerrilla

noun

  • a member of a small independent group taking part in irregular fighting, typically against larger regular forces:this town fell to the guerrillas [as modifier]:guerrilla warfare
  • [as modifier] referring to actions or activities performed in an impromptu way, often without authorization:guerrilla gigs

Origin:

early 19th century (introduced during the Peninsular War): from Spanish, diminutive of guerra 'war'

Spelling help

Guerrilla can also be spelled guerilla, with a single r; both are correct.

Do not confuse gorilla with guerrilla. A gorilla is a type of large ape, whereas a guerrilla is a member of an independent group fighting against government or other regular forces (he was held hostage by separatist guerrillas).

guerrilla in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of guerrilla in the US English dictionary