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

/ ˈfɛr-; ˈfɪərəl /

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

Unlike dozens of feral cats found dead on farms with outbreaks, these domestic cats didn’t roam around herds, lapping up milk that teemed with virus.

From Salon

But she finds herself increasingly identifying with the behaviour of dogs - acting on her feral instincts and being fiercely protective of her offspring.

From BBC

With less than 30 days until Election Day, Trump and his surrogates are in full-on attack mode as their feral politics are turned up to the extreme.

From Salon

He plans to amplify his feral attacks on Kamala Harris and the Democrats.

From Salon

If you’re lucky, you can even spot an adorable member of the feral cat colony, which is lovingly looked after by the cemetery’s groundskeeper.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ferocious