adj
Uncommon
feral
FEH-ruhl
Feral (adj) means Wild and untamed, especially describing an animal that has escaped domestication and now lives in the wild. Example: “A colony of feral cats lives behind the old warehouse.”
adj
1
Wild and untamed, especially describing an animal that has escaped domestication and now lives in the wild.
"A colony of feral cats lives behind the old warehouse."
2
Out of control, wild, or unruly, said of a person or behavior.
"The kids went feral the moment school let out for summer."
How to use feral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWild — either an animal that has reverted from domestic life, or a person behaving in an unrestrained, uncivilized way.
Common pairings
feral cats
go feral
feral hogs
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Word forms
- Plural
- ferals
- Comparative
- more feral
- Superlative
- most feral
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A colony of _____ cats lives behind the old warehouse.
Etymology
From Latin ferus ("wild, savage") plus the adjective suffix "-al."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for feral
literal
general
liberal
funeral
lateral
mineral
federal
several
visceral
ephemeral
bilateral
collateral
See all rhymes for feral →
Frequently asked questions
What does “feral” mean?
The word “feral” means wild and untamed, especially describing an animal that has escaped domestication and now lives in the wild. In plain terms, wild — either an animal that has reverted from domestic life, or a person behaving in an unrestrained, uncivilized way.
How do you pronounce “feral”?
“Feral” is pronounced FEH-ruhl (/ˈfɛɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “feral” in a sentence?
Here is “feral” used in a sentence: “A colony of feral cats lives behind the old warehouse.”
What part of speech is “feral”?
“Feral” is an adjective.
Where does the word “feral” come from?
The word “feral” comes from Latin. From Latin ferus ("wild, savage") plus the adjective suffix "-al.".
Is “feral” a common word?
“Feral” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “feral” have?
“Feral” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wild and untamed, especially describing an animal that has escaped domestication and now lives in the wild.
