wild

¹wild

adj \ˈwī(-ə)ld\

Definition of WILD

1

a : living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated <wild ducks> b (1) : growing or produced without human aid or care <wild honey> (2) : related to or resembling a corresponding cultivated or domesticated organism c : of or relating to wild organisms <the wild state>

2

a : not inhabited or cultivated <wild land> b : not amenable to human habitation or cultivation; also : desolate

3

a (1) : not subject to restraint or regulation : uncontrolled; also : unruly (2) : emotionally overcome <wild with grief>; also : passionately eager or enthusiastic <was wild to own a toy train — J. C. Furnas> b : marked by turbulent agitation : stormy <a wild night> c : going beyond normal or conventional bounds : fantastic <wild ideas>; also : sensational d : indicative of strong passion, desire, or emotion <a wild gleam of delight in his eyes — Irish Digest>

4

: uncivilized, barbaric

5

: characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society

6

a : deviating from the intended or expected course <wild spelling — C. W. Cunnington> <the throw was wild>; also : tending to throw inaccurately <a wild pitcher> b : having no basis in known or surmised fact <a wild guess>

7

of a playing card : able to represent any card designated by the holder

— wild·ish \ˈwī(-ə)l-dish\ adjective

— wild·ness \-nəs\ noun

Examples of WILD

1. wild places high in the mountains
2. I felt a wild rage.
3. He was wild with anger.
4. The crowd went wild when the band took the stage.

Origin of WILD

Middle English wilde, from Old English; akin to Old High German wildi wild, Welsh gwyllt

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WILD

Synonyms: feral, savage, unbroken, undomesticated, untamed, wilding

Antonyms: broken, busted, domestic, domesticated, gentled, tame, tamed

Related Words: uncontrolled, undocile, unsubdued, untrained; bestial, brutal, brute; barbarous, uncivilized

Near Antonyms: controlled, docile, familiar, semidomesticated, subdued, submissive; halterbroken, housebroken, trained; civilized, semicivilized, socialized

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra