What is furious? Pronunciation and usage in English

furious means . Learn how to pronounce and use furious through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of furious

furiousadjective

/ˈfjʊəriəs//ˈfjʊriəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "furious" in English. Here's a breakdown with different levels of detail:

1. Quick & Easy (Good for everyday speech):

  • FUH-ri-us

    • FUH: Think of the "fuh" sound like in "fun."
    • ri: Like the letter "R" – a quick, short "r" sound.
    • us: Like the word "us."

2. More Detailed Breakdown (For a clearer, more accurate pronunciation):

  • Fuh-RI-us – This is the most accurate way to say it. Notice the emphasis on the second syllable ("RI").

    • Fuh: Same as above – a quick, short "f" sound followed by "uh" (like the "uh" in "about").
    • RI: This is the most important part. It's a diphthong – a combination of two vowel sounds that blend together. It starts like the "ee" in "see" but quickly moves into a more “ah” sound. It's a tricky one! Think of it as almost saying "ree" but with a slightly more open mouth.
    • us: As before – like the word "us."

Tips & Considerations:

  • Stress: The primary stress falls on the second syllable ("RI"). This is what makes it sound like "FUH-ri-us" rather than "FUH-rus."
  • The "R" sound: American English typically uses an “r” sound—but it’s a very quick, light “r” – not a rolled “r”.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it said correctly. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "furious" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: (https://forvo.com/word/furious/) - This site has pronunciations from native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce furious" – you’ll find numerous pronunciation guides.

To help me give you the best advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you aiming for a British or American English pronunciation? (They're slightly different)

Usage and examples with the word furious in English

Let's break down how to use the word "furious" in English. It's a strong word, so it's important to use it correctly and appropriately.

1. Meaning:

"Furious" means feeling or expressing extremely angry or irritated. It’s a more intense version of angry – think of a volcanic eruption of rage.

2. Parts of Speech:

  • Adjective: This is the most common usage. You describe someone as furious.
    • Example: "He was furious when he found out his car had been vandalized."
  • Adverb: Less common, but you can use it to describe how someone is expressing their anger.
    • Example: "She shouted furious words at him." (This sounds slightly awkward. "She shouted angrily" or "She screamed at him" is usually better.)

3. How to Use It – Examples & Contexts:

  • Describing a person's reaction:
    • "The customer was furious with the poor service."
    • "I was furious that I missed the train!"
    • "He became furious when his team lost the game."
  • Describing a feeling:
    • "She felt furious and betrayed."
    • "A wave of furious anger washed over him."
  • Describing a situation causing anger:
    • "The news of the robbery left the town furious."
    • “The driver was furious at the constant traffic jams.”

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

Using synonyms can help you vary your language and avoid overusing “furious.” Here are a few:

  • Angry: (A general term for feeling displeasure)
  • Enraged: (More intense than angry – suggests a sudden, violent anger)
  • Irate: (Formal, suggests a dignified but intense anger)
  • Incensed: (Very angry, often in response to something unfair)
  • Livid: (Extremely angry, often depicted with a pale face)
  • Outraged: (Angry because of something considered unjust or shocking)

5. Important Considerations:

  • Intensity: "Furious" is very strong. Don't use it lightly. Consider if a milder word (like "angry," "irritated," or "displeased") would be more appropriate.
  • Tone: Be mindful of the tone you're conveying. Overusing "furious" can make your writing or speech seem dramatic or exaggerated.
  • Show, Don’t Just Tell: Instead of just saying someone is furious, try to show their reaction:
    • Instead of: “He was furious.”
    • Try: “His fists clenched, and his face turned red. He slammed his hand on the table.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you looking to use "furious" in a specific context (e.g., writing a story, giving a presentation, a conversation)?
  • Is there a particular sentence you're struggling to phrase correctly?

Synonyms for the word furious

Practice with vocabulary furious

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The CEO was absolutely ______ when he discovered the financial discrepancies in the quarterly report, demanding an immediate investigation.
  2. Despite the technical team's best efforts, the system continued to crash, leaving the users utterly ______ with the persistent issues.
  3. Upon realizing that his competitor had stolen his innovative idea, the inventor became ______ and vowed to take legal action.
  4. The customer service representative remained calm, even when the caller became increasingly ______ over the delayed delivery, patiently explaining the situation.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words best describes an intense, uncontrolled anger, often leading to a strong reaction? a) Annoyed b) Furious c) Content d) Mildly displeased e) Enraged

  2. After the project deadline was unexpectedly moved forward without prior consultation, the team leader was visibly ______ by the lack of communication. a) delighted b) irate c) ecstatic d) calm e) furious

  3. The board members grew ______ when the external auditor presented evidence of significant financial mismanagement within the company. a) delighted b) placid c) incensed d) joyful e) furious

  4. Which word describes a feeling of slight impatience or displeasure, rather than extreme anger? a) Furious b) Outraged c) Irritated d) Livid e) Ecstatic

  5. The CEO's decision to outsource the entire IT department left many long-term employees feeling deeply ______ about their job security. a) optimistic b) unconcerned c) apprehensive d) cheerful e) ecstatic

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The manager became extremely angry when he found out about the data breach. (Rewrite using "furious")
  2. Her colleague's constant interruptions during the presentation really annoyed her. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "furious")
  3. The unexpected policy change caused a lot of intense anger among the staff. (Rewrite using "furious" or a related word form)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. furious
  2. frustrated
  3. furious
  4. irate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Furious, e) Enraged
  2. b) Irate, e) Furious
  3. c) Incensed, e) Furious
  4. c) Irritated
  5. c) Apprehensive

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The manager became furious upon discovering the data breach.
  2. Her colleague's constant interruptions during the presentation truly exasperated her.
  3. The staff were furious about the unexpected policy change.

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