adj
savage
SA-vihj
adj
1
Extremely fierce, violent, or brutal.
"The animal launched a savage attack on its prey."
"Critics gave the film a savage review."
2
Informally, impressively bold, harsh, or brilliant — often used as a compliment for a sharp comeback or move.
"That diss track was absolutely savage."
verb
1
To attack fiercely, or to criticise something harshly.
"The dog savaged the mailman's bag."
"The reviewer savaged the restaurant's new menu."
noun
1
An outdated and offensive term once used for a member of an indigenous or "uncivilised" society; now mainly used to mean a fierce or wild creature or person.
"The wolf was portrayed in the story as a savage of the forest."
How to Use Savage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFierce, brutal, or wild — or, in slang, impressively harsh or bold.
Common mistake
The older noun sense (used historically to describe indigenous peoples) is outdated and considered offensive; avoid it in modern writing.
Common pairings
savage attack
savage criticism
absolutely savage
Word Forms
more savage comparative, savaged past tense, savages plural, savages singular, most savage superlative
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Etymology
From Old French sauvage ("wild, untamed"), ultimately from Latin silvāticus, "of the woods," from silva, "forest."