feral

¹

[feer-uhl, fer-]

adjective

1. causing death; fatal.

2. funereal; gloomy.

feral

²

[feer-uhl, fer-]

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

¹

/ 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

/ ˈfɛr-, ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

1. astrology associated with death

2. gloomy; funereal

feral

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of feral¹

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

Origin of feral²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of feral¹

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

Origin of feral²

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

Example Sentences

Yet they still let her be feral and freewheeling in developing her craft.

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But I just needed to go a little feral.

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We were pretty feral kids and played and fought like wild animals.

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A longtime cat lover—he lives with his wife and a half-dozen cats in a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment—Sliwa wants to weaponize the city’s feral felines.

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Another issue: The official plan doesn’t include feral cats, an invasive predator, or non-native animals such as deer and pigs that destroy habitats needed for local fauna to thrive.

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Related Words

• ferocious