feral

[ feer-uh l, fer- ]

/ ˈfɪər əl, ˈfɛr- /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR feral ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.

having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication: a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods.

of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.

Words nearby feral

fepc, fer, fer-de-lance, fera, ferae naturae, feral, feral child, ferbam, ferber, ferberite, ferc

Origin of feral

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin, Late Latin ferālis bestial, wild, equivalent to Latin fer(a) wild beast + -ālis -al¹

Definition for feral (2 of 2)

feral²

[ feer-uh l, fer- ]

/ ˈfɪər əl, ˈfɛr- /

adjective

causing death; fatal.

funereal; gloomy.

Origin of feral

First recorded in 1615–25, feral is from the Latin word fērālis of the dead, funerary, fatal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for feral

Rather, she shows us: that spandex clad ass twerking in the jungle, surrounded by a feral pack of similarly well fed asses?
Nicki Minaj’s ‘Anaconda’ Is Too Much Booty for One Man to Handle|Amy Zimmerman|August 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The “Aduba double-take,” a phenomenon that fans of the show often fall victim to, is truly a testament to her feral performance.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ Star Uzo Aduba on Her Journey From Track Phenom to Crazy Eyes|Marlow Stern|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But then, with their contorted physiques and feral grimaces they speak directly to the Basquiats.
The Art World’s New Gang War|Anthony Haden-Guest|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Devastated, she climbed with feral intensity, hoping the baby might spontaneously abort.
Breaking Mount Everest’s Glass Ceiling|Amanda Padoan, Peter Zuckerman|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As Jordan Belfort, a charismatic monster of a stockbroker, DiCaprio is a feral beast; the id incarnate.
Why Leonardo DiCaprio, Who Wows in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ Deserves to (Finally) Win An Oscar|Marlow Stern|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He becomes an outlaw, to be dealt with as any other feral creature.
Aphorisms and Reflections from the Works of T. H. Huxley|T. H. Huxley
Travis' own tongue ran across his lips as an impression hit him with feral force.
The Defiant Agents|Andre Alice Norton
They exist in a feral state in the mountainous parts of our island, and throughout Europe and Western Asia.
Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals|R. Lee
According to Rauber, this is one of the most frequently quoted of feral cases.
Introduction to the Science of Sociology|Robert E. Park
In Cuba the feral dogs are described by Poeppig as nearly all mouse-coloured, with short ears and light-blue eyes.
The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication, Vol. I.|Charles Darwin

British Dictionary definitions for feral (1 of 2)

feral¹

/ (ˈfɪərəl, ˈfɛr-) /

adjective

Also: ferine (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated

Also: ferine savage; brutal

Australian derogatory, slang (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance

noun

Australian derogatory, slang a person who displays such tendencies and appearance

Australian slang disgusting

Australian slang excellent

Word Origin for feral

C17: from Medieval Latin ferālis, from Latin fera a wild beast, from ferus savage

British Dictionary definitions for feral (2 of 2)

feral²

/ (ˈfɪərəl, ˈfɛr-) /

adjective archaic

astrology associated with death

gloomy; funereal

Word Origin for feral

C17: from Latin fērālis relating to corpses; perhaps related to ferre to carry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for feral

feral

[ fîr′əl, fĕr′- ]

Existing in a wild or untamed state, either naturally or having returned to such a state from domestication.

feral

adjective

Words related to feral

Words nearby feral

Origin of feral

Definition for feral (2 of 2)

adjective

Origin of feral

Examples from the Web for feral

British Dictionary definitions for feral (1 of 2)

adjective

noun

Word Origin for feral

British Dictionary definitions for feral (2 of 2)

adjective archaic

Word Origin for feral

Scientific definitions for feral