wildlife

American  

[wahyld-lahyf] / ˈwaɪldˌlaɪf /

noun

1. undomesticated animals living in the wild, including those hunted for food, sport, or profit.

---

adjective

1. of, for, or abounding in wildlife.

   a wildlife preserve.

wildlife British  

/ ˈwaɪldˌlaɪf /

noun

1. wild animals and plants collectively

---

Etymology

Origin of wildlife

First recorded in 1930–35; wild + life

Explanation

Animals that aren't tamed or domesticated are collectively known as wildlife. One of the things people love about visiting the Galapagos Islands is seeing all the unusual wildlife. All of the wild animals that live in a particular area (and sometimes the plants as well) fall under the category of wildlife. If you're dedicated to protecting wildlife, it means you care about keeping native animals from being harmed by humans. A wildlife refuge or sanctuary is a place where animals can roam without being hunted, and native plants grow freely.

Example Sentences

It enables the community to use the field for events like fetes and weddings, while still encouraging wildlife diversity, Taylor said.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Newman said the centre often sees species of turtles released, but snapping turtles were a worry when it came to other wildlife.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The New World Screwworm is a fly whose larvae feed on living tissue, and can infect cattle, wildlife, pets and, rarely, people.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

Part of the money she makes has to go to wildlife preservation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

We learned that wildlife, like deer and butterflies, depend on native plants for survival, and if we remove the bushes and small trees along our coastlines, then hurricanes could cause increased coastal erosion.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• body
• existence
• growth
• living
• man
• person
• soul
• survival
• woman