Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

wild man

American  

noun

  1. a person who is uncivilized; a savage.

  2. a person of violent temper, erratic behavior, etc.

  3. a person of extreme or outrageous political opinions.


wild man British  

noun

  1. a savage

  2. an extremist in politics

"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

Etymology

Origin of wild man

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“He’s a wild man out there,” Lea said of Pavia last month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 1, 2025

She also linked it with various other figures from English folklore, like the woodwose, a wild man covered in fur.

From Slate • Apr. 8, 2023

D H P in the place to be, you live forever in our hearts, you wild man, you bringer of joy, you giant hearted man.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022

Jerry Lee Lewis was the original wild man of rock'n'roll.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2022

Laura had never seen a wild man before.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "wild man" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com