melee

Noun

1. (countable, especially, uncountable) A battle fought at close range, (especially) one not involving ranged weapons; hand-to-hand combat; brawling.
2. (countable, uncountable) A loud, confused or tumultuous fight, argument or scrap.
3. (countable, uncountable) Any confused, disorganised, disordered or chaotic situation.
4. (countable, uncountable) Lively contention or debate, skirmish.
5. (countable, historical, uncountable) A cavalry exercise in which two groups of riders try to cut paper plumes off the helmets of their opponents, the contest continuing until no member of one group retains his plume.
6. (countable, uncountable) Small cut and polished gemstones sold in lots.
7. (capitalized, countable, uncountable, usually) The video game Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Verb

To physically hit in close quarters, as opposed to shooting, blowing up, or other ranged means of damage. Often refers to the usage of a hand-to-hand weapon.

Adj

1. (not-comparable) Of a weapon: used in close-range combat, e.g. a sword. Compare with ranged.
2. (not-comparable) Of a character, using melee weapons.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmɛˌleɪ/

Etymology

Borrowed from French mêlée, from Old French meslee, feminine past participle of mesler (“to mix”), derived from Latin misceō (“mix”). Doublet of medley.

Synonyms

scuffle

riot

scrimmage

fray

skirmish

affray

battle royal

hassle

fight

duel

free-for-all

hubbub

joust

mayhem

noise

quarrel

rough-and-tumble

row

rumpus

scrap

squabble

strife

struggle

tussle

wrestling

🤼

dog fight

conflict

biffo

argument

battle

brawl

bushwhacking

clash

combat

contest

donnybrook