wildly
WYLD-lee
Wildly (adv) means In an uncontrolled, frantic, or reckless way. Example: “The crowd cheered wildly as the winning goal went in.”
adv
1
In an uncontrolled, frantic, or reckless way.
"The crowd cheered wildly as the winning goal went in."
"The puppy ran wildly around the garden, barking at every leaf."
"She waved her arms wildly to attract the attention of the passing boat."
2
To an extreme or surprising degree.
"The new restaurant has been wildly successful since it opened."
"Prices vary wildly between the shops in this part of town."
"His guesses were wildly different from the correct answer."
How to use wildly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn an uncontrolled way, or as an intensifier meaning "extremely."
Common pairings
wildly popular
wildly successful
cheer wildly
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wildly, wildlier
- Superlative
- most wildly, wildliest
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The crowd cheered _____ as the winning goal went in.
Etymology
From Middle English wildely, formed by adding "-ly" to "wild."
Related words
Rhymes for wildly
See all rhymes for wildly →Frequently asked questions
What does “wildly” mean?
The word “wildly” means in an uncontrolled, frantic, or reckless way. In plain terms, in an uncontrolled way, or as an intensifier meaning "extremely.".
How do you pronounce “wildly”?
“Wildly” is pronounced WYLD-lee (/ˈwaɪldli/ in IPA).
How do you use “wildly” in a sentence?
Here is “wildly” used in a sentence: “The crowd cheered wildly as the winning goal went in.”
What part of speech is “wildly”?
“Wildly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “wildly” come from?
The word “wildly” comes from Middle English. From Middle English wildely, formed by adding "-ly" to "wild.".
Is “wildly” a common word?
“Wildly” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “wildly” have?
“Wildly” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in an uncontrolled, frantic, or reckless way.
What is the difference between wildly and extremely as intensifiers?
Wildly can function as an intensifier meaning 'to an extreme or surprising degree,' similar to extremely, as in 'wildly popular' or 'wildly inaccurate.' Unlike extremely, wildly often carries a sense of surprise or something exceeding expectations, not just high degree.
Can wildly describe both actions and degree?
Yes, wildly has two related uses: it can describe an uncontrolled, frantic, or reckless action, such as 'waving wildly,' or it can intensify an adjective to mean an extreme degree, such as 'wildly successful.'
Is wildly used mainly in informal English?
Wildly is common in both informal and journalistic writing, especially in its intensifying sense before adjectives like 'popular,' 'inaccurate,' or 'successful,' where it adds emphasis and a touch of surprise.
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