definitions

savage

[ sav-ij ]
/ ˈsæv ɪdʒ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR savage ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

noun

verb (used with object), sav·aged, sav·ag·ing.

to assault and maul by biting, rending, goring, etc.; tear at or mutilate: numerous sheep savaged by dogs.
to attack or criticize thoroughly or remorselessly; excoriate: a play savaged by the critics.

RELATED CONTENT

All Of These Words Are Offensive (But Only Sometimes)English is confusing. And, many words have multiple meanings (and those meanings can be both good and bad), but as long as we're all trying to use these words in the kindest and best ways we can, that's all that matters.
READ MORE
Taser: A Surprising Acronym With An Unsettling StoryThe (debatable) non-lethal weapon that causes temporary paralysis was invented in the 1970s by a man named Jack Cover (who worked for NASA at one point).
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

ferocious, harsh, turbulent, vicious, brutal, crude, barbaric, fierce, unrelenting, barbarous, murderous, ruthless, atrocious, inhuman, bloody, violent, cold-blooded, sadistic, destructive, relentless

Nearby words

sauve qui peut, sauvignon, sauvignon blanc, sav, sava, savage, savage's station, savagery, savagism, savaii, savanna

Origin of savage

1250–1300; Middle English savage, sauvage (adj.) < Middle French sauvage, salvage < Medieval Latin salvāticus, for Latin silvāticus, equivalent to silv(a) woods + -āticus adj. suffix

Related forms

Synonym study

1. See cruel.

Definition for savage (2 of 2)

Savage

[ sav-ij ]
/ ˈsæv ɪdʒ /

noun

Michael Joseph,1872–1940, New Zealand statesman and labor leader: prime minister 1935–40.
Richard,1697?–1743, English poet.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for savage

British Dictionary definitions for savage (1 of 2)

savage

/ (ˈsævɪdʒ) /

adjective

noun

verb (tr)

to criticize violently
to attack ferociously and woundthe dog savaged the child

Derived Forms

savagedom, nounsavagely, adverbsavageness, noun

Word Origin for savage

C13: from Old French sauvage, from Latin silvāticus belonging to a wood, from silva a wood

British Dictionary definitions for savage (2 of 2)

Savage

/ (ˈsævɪdʒ) /

noun

Michael Joseph. 1872-1940, New Zealand statesman; prime minister of New Zealand (1935-40)
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