feral

¹

[ feer-uhl, fer- ]

adjective

1. existing in a natural state, as animals or plants; not domesticated or cultivated; wild.
2. having reverted to the wild state, as from domestication:

   a pack of feral dogs roaming the woods.

3. of or characteristic of wild animals; ferocious; brutal.

feral

²

[ feer-uhl, fer- ]

adjective

1. causing death; fatal.
2. funereal; gloomy.

feral

¹

/ ˈfɛr-; ˈfɪərəl /

adjective

1. astrology associated with death
2. gloomy; funereal

feral

²

/ ˈfɪərəl; ˈfɛr- /

adjective

1. Alsoferine (of animals and plants) existing in a wild or uncultivated state, esp after being domestic or cultivated
2. Alsoferine savage; brutal
3. derogatory.
   (of a person) tending to be interested in environmental issues and having a rugged, unkempt appearance

noun

1. derogatory.
   a person who displays such tendencies and appearance
2. slang.
   disgusting
3. slang.
   excellent

feral

/ fîr′əl,fĕr′- /

1. Existing in a wild or untamed state, either naturally or having returned to such a state from domestication.

Word History and Origins

Origin of feral¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin, Late Latin ferālis “bestial, wild,” from Latin fer(a) “wild beast” + -ālis -al ¹

Origin of feral²

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin fērālis “of the dead, funerary, fatal”

Word History and Origins

Origin of feral¹

C17: from Latin fērālis relating to corpses; perhaps related to ferre to carry

Origin of feral²

C17: from Medieval Latin ferālis , from Latin fera a wild beast, from ferus savage

Example Sentences

Now in her 70s, Sharon Patrick calls people “dear” and “hon,” and enjoys talking about the feral cats she feeds on the South Side.

From ProPublica

She trained horses on the side, landing a job trapping feral horses in Hawaii—and that led her to vet school.

From MIT Technology Review

The more feral horses from New Zealand play, for example, the better they survive their first year.

From Nautilus

The first is feral cowardice — captured in the wild-eyed, hunted expression of Republican senators asked to comment on the president’s latest insane or destructive tweet.

From Washington Post

It may be an exercise in delusion, but it’s still heartening to bask in these letters, to take this feral love for what it was at a freeze-frame moment in time.

From Washington Post

Rather, she shows us: that spandex clad ass twerking in the jungle, surrounded by a feral pack of similarly well fed asses?

From The Daily Beast

At the same time, playing an animal does require more feral-ness, so to speak.

From The Daily Beast

The “Aduba double-take,” a phenomenon that fans of the show often fall victim to, is truly a testament to her feral performance.

From The Daily Beast

But then, with their contorted physiques and feral grimaces they speak directly to the Basquiats.

From The Daily Beast

Devastated, she climbed with feral intensity, hoping the baby might spontaneously abort.

From The Daily Beast

How again does it explain reversion to long-lost characters and the resumption of feral characteristics?

From Project Gutenberg

In a feral state he would doubtless have left the herd and become a solitary wanderer.

From Project Gutenberg

An old hunter then mounted a tame elephant, went up to the feral one, seized his ear and ordered him to lie down.

From Project Gutenberg

Furthermore, they are all comparatively large, and if they ever become feral in England, it will not be for many years to come.

From Project Gutenberg

The bright feral light of the super-mongoose's eyes seemed to lance at Sowles, like an infra-red flash.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ferocious