wolf
wuulf
Wolf (noun) means a large wild canine, Canis lupus, that lives and hunts in packs. Example: “A pack of wolves howled somewhere beyond the treeline.”
noun
1
A large wild canine, Canis lupus, that lives and hunts in packs.
"A pack of wolves howled somewhere beyond the treeline."
"The wolf lifted its head and watched the hikers from a distance."
"Zoo visitors gathered to watch a grey wolf pacing near the fence."
2
A man who aggressively pursues women, or, more broadly, any predatory or ravenous person.
"He had a reputation as a wolf at parties."
verb
1
To eat something very quickly and greedily.
"He wolfed down his lunch in five minutes flat."
"The hungry boys wolfed their sandwiches before the bus even left."
"Don't wolf your food like that, or you will get a stomach ache."
How to use wolf
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe wild predator, or (as a verb) eating something fast and greedily.
Common mistake
Note the irregular plural: "wolves", not "wolfs".
Common pairings
a pack of wolves
wolf down food
cry wolf
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Word forms
- Plural
- wolves
- Third person singular
- wolfs
- Past tense
- wolfed
Fill the gap
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The _____ lifted its head and watched the hikers from a distance.
Etymology
From Old English wulf, from a very old Germanic root shared with words across the Indo-European family, including Latin lupus and Ancient Greek λύκος (lykos) — both also meaning "wolf".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for wolf
See all rhymes for wolf →Frequently asked questions
What does “wolf” mean?
The word “wolf” means a large wild canine, Canis lupus, that lives and hunts in packs. In plain terms, the wild predator, or (as a verb) eating something fast and greedily.
How do you pronounce “wolf”?
“Wolf” is pronounced wuulf (/wʊlf/ in IPA).
How do you use “wolf” in a sentence?
Here is “wolf” used in a sentence: “He had a reputation as a wolf at parties.”
What is another word for “wolf”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wolf” include loafer, lobo, lofer, lover and loper.
What part of speech is “wolf”?
Depending on how it is used, “wolf” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “wolf” come from?
The word “wolf” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old English wulf, from a very old Germanic root shared with words across the Indo-European family, including Latin lupus and Ancient Greek λύκος (lykos) — both also meaning "wolf".
Is “wolf” a common word?
“Wolf” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wolf” have?
“Wolf” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large wild canine, Canis lupus, that lives and hunts in packs.
What is the plural of "wolf"?
The plural of "wolf" is "wolves," formed by changing the "-f" to "-ves." This follows the same pattern as "half/halves" and "shelf/shelves."
What is the difference between a "wolf" and a "coyote"?
Both are wild members of the dog family, but a wolf (Canis lupus) is generally larger and heavier and hunts in organized packs, while a coyote is smaller, more slender, and often hunts alone or in pairs. Wolves also tend to have a broader muzzle and shorter ears.
What are common expressions using "wolf"?
Idioms include "a wolf in sheep's clothing" (a danger disguised as harmless), "cry wolf" (to raise a false alarm), "lone wolf" (someone who acts alone), and "keep the wolf from the door" (to stave off hunger or poverty).
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