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

noun

1. derogatory,  a person who displays such tendencies and appearance

2. slang,  disgusting

3. slang,  excellent

feral

²

/ ˈfɛr-, ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

1. astrology associated with death

2. gloomy; funereal

feral

1. Existing in a wild or untamed state, either naturally or having returned to such a state from domestication.

Word History and Origins

Origin of feral¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin, Late Latin ferālis “bestial, wild,” from Latin fer(a) “wild beast” + -ālis -al ¹

Origin of feral²

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin fērālis “of the dead, funerary, fatal”

Word History and Origins

Origin of feral¹

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

Origin of feral²

C17: from Latin fērālis relating to corpses; perhaps related to ferre to carry

Example Sentences

Therrien was wild and experimental in the 1970s, as part of a feral community of artists who interacted and shared ideas with scientists at Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

From Los Angeles Times

Most of these dogs are not considered feral.

From BBC

The next morning, they show up at each other’s doors with a look in their eyes — feral, anxious, twitchy.

From Salon

A number of sickened sea lions were reported, with one surfer encountering one that he called “feral, almost demonic.”

From Los Angeles Times

Before he was a household name or a face on TV, Bourdain was a writer first—funny, feral, unafraid to follow a story into the weirder corners.

From Salon

Related Words

• ferocious