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View synonyms for

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. Also: ferine.(of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated

  2. Also: ferine.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. derogatorya person who displays such tendencies and appearance

  2. slangdisgusting

  3. slangexcellent

“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. 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

  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 ڱ “bestial, wild,” from Latin fer(a) “wild beast” + - -al 1

Origin of feral2

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ŧ “of the dead, funerary, fatal”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of feral1

C17: from Medieval Latin ڱ , from Latin fera a wild beast, from ferus savage

Origin of feral2

C17: from Latin ŧ relating to corpses; perhaps related to ferre to carry
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I moved to a house in South L.A., the land of feral cats.

From

One of the stories from this season’s sixth episode, “Lord of the Firesides,” finds the show’s Girl Scout-like troop, the Fireside Girls, going completely feral, like in the famous William Golding novel.

From

A few weeks prior, a surfer was reportedly accosted by a “feral, almost demonic” sea lion that he said dragged him off his board in Oxnard and stalked him in the water.

From

Dickinson plays a supporting part in “Urchin” as a feral bum who steals wallets and harangues shopkeepers, but what you really notice is his generous spirit.

From

It’s tantalizingly oddball and indelicate: a combined daymare and night odyssey that scratches until a feral hidden strength is revealed in the misfit main character, captivatingly played by Indian star Radhika Apte.

From

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ferae naturaeferal child