ferocious
fuh-ROH-shuhs
Ferocious (adj) means Extremely fierce, savage, or violent. Example: “The dog let out a ferocious growl as the stranger approached.”
adj
1
Extremely fierce, savage, or violent.
"The dog let out a ferocious growl as the stranger approached."
"A ferocious storm tore roofs off houses along the coast."
2
Very intense or extreme.
"He has a ferocious appetite after a long run."
How to use ferocious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely fierce or violent — can describe animals, storms, fights, or just intense degree ("a ferocious appetite").
Common pairings
ferocious attack
ferocious storm
ferocious appetite
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ferocious
- Superlative
- most ferocious
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog let out a _____ growl as the stranger approached.
Etymology
From Latin ferox, "wild, bold, fierce," plus the adjective ending -ous.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ferocious
See all rhymes for ferocious →Frequently asked questions
What does “ferocious” mean?
The word “ferocious” means extremely fierce, savage, or violent. In plain terms, extremely fierce or violent — can describe animals, storms, fights, or just intense degree ("a ferocious appetite").
How do you pronounce “ferocious”?
“Ferocious” is pronounced fuh-ROH-shuhs (/fəˈɹoʊʃəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ferocious” in a sentence?
Here is “ferocious” used in a sentence: “The dog let out a ferocious growl as the stranger approached.”
What is another word for “ferocious”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ferocious” include fierce, grim, furious, incessive, infuriate and rabid.
What is the opposite of “ferocious”?
The opposite of “ferocious” — its antonyms — are calm and peaceable.
What part of speech is “ferocious”?
“Ferocious” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ferocious” come from?
The word “ferocious” comes from Latin. From Latin ferox, "wild, bold, fierce," plus the adjective ending -ous.
Is “ferocious” a common word?
“Ferocious” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
