feral

¹ American  

[feer-uhl, fer-] / ˈfɪər əl, ˈfɛr- /

adjective

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

2. having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication.

   a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods.

3. of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.

---

feral ² American  

[feer-uhl, fer-] / ˈfɪər əl, ˈfɛr- /

adjective

1. causing death; fatal.

2. funereal; gloomy.

---

feral ¹ British  

/ ˈfɛr-, ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

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

2. Also: ferine.  savage; brutal

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

---

noun

1. derogatory a person who displays such tendencies and appearance

2. slang disgusting

3. slang excellent

feral ² British  

/ ˈfɛr-, ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

1. astrology associated with death

2. gloomy; funereal

---

feral Scientific  

/ fîr′əl,fĕr′- /

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

---

Etymology

Origin of feral¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin, Late Latin ferālis “bestial, wild,” from Latin fer(a) “wild beast” + -ālis -al ¹

Origin of feral²

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin fērālis “of the dead, funerary, fatal”

Explanation

When animal control finds a feral dog, they have to handle it very carefully because the animal is so wild that it's probably afraid of humans and likely to bite. Feral is often used to describe a wild, untamed animal, like the feral cat with its claws and sharp teeth menacingly bared, ready to strike. Qualities that are similar to a wild animal can also be called feral. The child who grew alone up in a cabin in the woods, and who didn't go to school, was called feral when she ran away from the orphanage.

Example Sentences

London-based cocktail creator Julian de Feral says he avoids AI because it “seems very counter-intuitive”, with its choices lacking common sense.

From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024

In the early 1990s, Jim White was a drumming journeyman, having pounded out rhythms in a string of loud and rabid bands with snotty names, like Feral Dinosaurs or Venom P. Stinger.

From New York Times • Mar. 27, 2024

Feral cats are beloved by the overwhelming majority Cypriots, who go the extra mile to feed and care for the felines.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 19, 2023

Feral donkeys are considered invasive in Death Valley National Park, but new research shows increased predation by mountain lions could help balance the treasured ecosystem.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2023

Sarai looked to Feral, but he wouldn’t meet her eye.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• ferocious