Added 8 October 2026 · word of the day, 8 October 2026
feral
/ˈfɛɹəl/ adjective
Latin root: fera Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about feral at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Wild; untamed.
In this region, the wild boars can be dangerous, but (perhaps counterintuitively) the feral hogs can be even worse.
-
Of an animal, wild but descended from domestic or captive ancestors; thus, in the wild, although not necessarily of the wild type.
In this region, the wild boars can be dangerous, but (perhaps counterintuitively) the feral hogs can be even worse.
- Having the characteristics of an animal; animal-like.
noun
- A domesticated (non-human) animal that has returned to the wild; an animal, particularly a domesticated animal, living independently of humans.
- A contemptible young person, a lout, a person who behaves wildly.
- A person who has isolated themselves from the outside world; one living an alternative lifestyle.
adjective
- Deadly, fatal.
- Of or pertaining to the dead, funereal.
noun
- Misspelling of ferrule.
Origin
From Latin fera (“wild beast”, noun) + -al or Latin ferus (“wild; savage; cruel”, adjective) + -al. Alternatively, borrowed from Middle French féral or Late Latin ferālis.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)