wildlife
WYLD-lyf
Wildlife (noun) means Wild animals living in their natural environment, collectively. Example: “We watched the wildlife by the lake from a quiet hide.”
noun
1
Wild animals living in their natural environment, collectively.
"We watched the wildlife by the lake from a quiet hide."
"The national park protects a huge variety of wildlife."
"Poaching remains a serious threat to local wildlife."
How to use wildlife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUndomesticated animals living in nature, considered as a group.
Common pairings
wildlife reserve
protect wildlife
wildlife sanctuary
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Etymology
A compound of "wild" and "life," first used to describe animals living freely in nature.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for wildlife
See all rhymes for wildlife →Frequently asked questions
What does “wildlife” mean?
The word “wildlife” means wild animals living in their natural environment, collectively. In plain terms, undomesticated animals living in nature, considered as a group.
How do you pronounce “wildlife”?
“Wildlife” is pronounced WYLD-lyf (/ˈwaɪldlaɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “wildlife” in a sentence?
Here is “wildlife” used in a sentence: “The national park protects a huge variety of wildlife.”
What part of speech is “wildlife”?
“Wildlife” is a noun.
Is “wildlife” a common word?
“Wildlife” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between wildlife and animals?
Wildlife refers collectively to wild animals living in their natural environment, so it excludes pets, farm animals, and creatures in captivity. Animals is a much broader term covering all members of the animal kingdom, wild or domestic. In broad usage, wildlife can also include wild plants and other organisms, but its core meaning is undomesticated animals in the wild.
Is wildlife singular or plural, and does it take a singular or plural verb?
Wildlife is an uncountable (mass) noun and normally takes a singular verb, as in "wildlife is protected here." You do not add an -s to make it plural or say "a wildlife"; instead you refer to "wildlife" as a whole or use phrases like "forms of wildlife" or "wildlife species."
What are common collocations with wildlife?
Wildlife frequently appears in compounds and pairings such as "wildlife conservation," "wildlife sanctuary," "wildlife habitat," "wildlife photography," and "protect wildlife." It is also common in "native wildlife," "local wildlife," and "endangered wildlife."
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