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View synonyms for feral

feral

1

[ 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

2

[ feer-uhl, fer- ]

adjective

  1. causing death; fatal.
  2. funereal; gloomy.

feral

1

/ ˈfɛr-; ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

  1. astrology associated with death
  2. gloomy; funereal
“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

feral

2

/ ˈfɛr-; ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

  1. Alsoferine (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated
  2. Alsoferine savage; brutal
  3. derogatory.
    (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance
“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

noun

  1. derogatory.
    a person who displays such tendencies and appearance
  2. slang.
    disgusting
  3. slang.
    excellent
“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

feral

/ fîrəl,fĕr- /

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

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”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of feral1

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

Origin of feral2

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

“I’ve always made the joke that we were feral, free-range kids,” she says.

Borisov artfully underplays the progression: He’s taken aback by her feral resistance, amused by her spirit, then really sees her.

Unlike dozens of feral cats found dead on farms with outbreaks, these domestic cats didn’t roam around herds, lapping up milk that teemed with virus.

From Salon

But she finds herself increasingly identifying with the behaviour of dogs - acting on her feral instincts and being fiercely protective of her offspring.

From BBC

With less than 30 days until Election Day, Trump and his surrogates are in full-on attack mode as their feral politics are turned up to the extreme.

From Salon

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