What does "feral" mean?
A domesticated (non-human) animal that has returned to the wild; an animal, particularly a domesticated animal, living independently of humans.
Feral
/ˈfɛɹ.əl/ adj, noun, slang
adj, noun, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A domesticated (non-human) animal that has returned to the wild; an animal, particularly a domesticated animal, living independently of humans.
- Grammar: feral is listed as adj, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: abandoned, amok, anarchic, animal.
- Useful contrasts: controlled, domestic government agency, domestic pet.
- Usage evidence: The farmer had several of his sheep killed by feral dogs.
How to use "feral"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "feral" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "feral" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "feral" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "feral" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "feral" is acting as adj, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abandoned" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "feral", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A domesticated (non-human) animal that has returned to the wild; an animal, particularly a domesticated animal, living independently of humans.
"Although it is not difficult to induce domestic pigeons to nest in boxes fixed to trees, London′s ferals are not yet acclimatized to arboreal holes."
- 2 Misspelling of ferrule. alt-of, misspelling
- 3 A contemptible young person, a lout, a person who behaves wildly. Australia, colloquial
- 4 A person who has isolated themselves from the outside world; one living an alternative lifestyle. Australia, colloquial
"The intolerance which was directed towards us during the early years has now shifted to ‘the ferals’ who embrace a new version of nonconformist behaviour that even some of us in their parent′s generation — the Aquarian settlers — don′t like. The ferals are the scapegoats for the drug problems here, and are highly visible since many of them have nowhere to live."
- 5 A furry character in art or literature which has the appearance of a regular animal (typically quadrupedal), that may or may not be able to communicate with humans or "anthros". slang
"The story is about a group of ferals which have to explore the ruins of society after the humans die out."
Adjective
- 1 Wild; untamed.
"1876 Statistical, Descriptive, And Historical Account Of The North-Western Provinces Of India. Allahabad: North-Western Provinces' Government Press 1876. p XIV, Agra Division The spotted deer, in a truly feral state, has very much the same distribution in Bundelkhand as the sambar, but it is more numerous."
- 2 Deadly, fatal.
- 3 Wild; untamed.; Of an animal, wild but descended from domestic or captive ancestors; thus, in the wild, although not necessarily of the wild type.
"In this region, the wild boars can be dangerous, but (perhaps counterintuitively) the feral hogs can be even worse."
- 4 Of or pertaining to the dead, funereal.
- 5 Wild; untamed.; Of a person, contemptible; unruly; misbehaved.
"This consideration doth afford us no small light in conceiving and judging the manners and qualifications of persons, as hath been observed, that those that have impressions of grapes, or signals of vines on their bodies, are addicted to drunkenness, those who have resemblance on their bodies, or in their countenances of a boar, or any feral creature, participate in the same feral, wild and unmannerly deportment; those having any similitude of a hare, are fearful; of a fox, are cunning; of a wolf, cruel; and so of all other resemblances: and, as from these resemblances, the manners are conjectured, so likewise future events, and fortune good or bad, as shall be noted in due place. Nature is strange in many of her operations; but this is most certain, the party retains the qualities of that animal or thing to which he hath a resemblance."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Wild; untamed.; Behaving in an out-of-control way due to enthrallment with a certain thought, behavior, person, etc. Internet
"Miners fans have been going absolutely feral over you, [and] you're also disgustingly talented. People want you to play for them! You had Canadians bitching about you being American born the first time you played for Team USA."
- 7 Wild; untamed.; That is a feral character. not-comparable, slang
Adjective
- 1 wild and menacing wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The farmer had several of his sheep killed by feral dogs."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "feral"?
Common synonyms include: abandoned, amok, anarchic, animal, animal features, animal like movement.
How do you use "feral" in a sentence?
The farmer had several of his sheep killed by feral dogs.
How do you pronounce "feral"?
Pronounced /ˈfɛɹ.əl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin fera (“wild beast”, noun) + -al or Latin ferus (“wild; savage; cruel”, adjective) + -al. Alternatively, borrowed from Middle French féral or Late Latin ferālis.
Etymology 2
From Latin fērālis (“funereal”), from Proto-Italic *fēz-ālis, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁s (“god, sacred place”).
Etymology 3
Homophone.