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Synonyms

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

"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 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.

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Vocabulary lists containing wildlife

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.

See Examples For:

Before 2016 pandas were considered endangered but are now listed as "vulnerable" by wildlife advocates, and an estimated 1,800 pandas live in the wild.

From Barron's ● Nov. 7, 2026

"During a nature and climate emergency, with our insects in decline, we should be protecting our precious wildlife sites and need powerful companies to lead and make better decisions."

From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026

Animal welfare organisations regularly highlight the distress fireworks can cause to pets, livestock and wildlife.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is intended to provide safe passage for wildlife locked in the Santa Monica Mountains by freeways and development.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

Surprisingly, considering its modest dimensions and how little room there is for real backcountry, the park is remarkably rich in wildlife.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

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