Word

guerrilla

noun C1

/ɡəˈɹɪlə/

Meanings

noun

a member of a small, unofficial armed group that uses surprise attacks against a larger, organized force

adjective

done in an unconventional, unexpected way to attract attention, especially in marketing or campaigning

Definition

A guerrilla is a member of a small, unofficial armed group that fights a stronger force using surprise attacks.

A guerrilla is a fighter who operates in a small group outside a regular army. Guerrillas usually rely on mobility, secrecy, and surprise rather than open battles. The term is often used in the context of irregular warfare, especially where one side is much weaker in numbers or equipment.

Examples

The documentary showed how a guerrilla unit survived by moving constantly and avoiding direct battles.
She studied guerrilla tactics in her thesis to understand how weaker forces can shape a conflict.
They reported that a guerrilla group had carried out a brief ambush before disappearing into the mountains.
Our team launched a guerrilla campaign with pop-up performances that caught commuters off guard.

Common mistake

Learners often misspell guerrilla as "gorilla," which is a completely different word meaning a large ape.