feral

adjective fe·ral \ ˈfir-əl , ˈfer- ; ˈfe-rəl \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of feral

1 : of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast

feral teeth

feral instincts

2 a : not domesticated or cultivated : wild

feral animals

b : having escaped from domestication and become wild

feral cats

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feral

noun

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Examples of feral in a Sentence

They led a feral existence.
animal experts discourage homeowners from trying to adopt feral animals as pets

Recent Examples of feral from the Web

Rob Arnott, a gray-haired entrepreneur from Newport Beach, California, who sat beside his tiara-wearing Russian wife, Marina, bid aggressively, inspiring hoots and slightly feral applause.

— junot díaz, The New Yorker, "Sarah Jessica Parker Helps Dolce & Gabbana Bring Luxe to the Library," 17 Apr. 2018
Four decades later, that tale was still following the adventures of a forest-dwelling tribe of feral elves and their leader — Cutter, Blood of Ten Chiefs — who’s been looking to complete his hero’s journey.

— jevon phillips, latimes.com, "After 40 years, Wendy and Richard Pini finish 'Elfquest,' the 'first American manga,' and go on fanquest," 3 Apr. 2018
While only one cat has tested positive, health officials said there were other domestic and wild animals and feral cats in the area that may be infected.

— steven goode, courant.com, "New Britain Health Officials: Deceased Feral Cat Tests Positive For Rabies," 3 Apr. 2018
First farmed by Polynesian settlers centuries ago, this remote paradise is nothing short of a feral garden, a breadbasket bursting with nearly everything a crafty human specimen needs to survive.

— brendan borrell, Smithsonian, "Hawaii’s Last Outlaw Hippies," 28 Feb. 2018
The researchers estimate that up to 30 percent of the scores of Florida's feral macaques may be actively excreting the virus.

— CBS News, "Wild Florida monkeys could pass herpes to people, researchers warn," 11 Jan. 2018
The researchers estimate that up to 30 percent of the scores of Florida's feral macaques may be actively excreting the virus.

— jason dearen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Herpes concerns may bring removal of Silver Springs monkeys," 10 Jan. 2018
There is this belief that feral cats are this invasive, exotic species.

— kate elizabeth queram, Laurel Leader, "Laurel's stray cat population declines as spay/neuter initiative takes hold," 21 Mar. 2018
The invasion of non-native pest species (rodents, feral pigs, insects) represents a significant global threat to biodiversity.

— nishan degnarain, Fortune, "Commentary: These Technologies Could Save the Northern White Rhino From Extinction," 20 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of feral

Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal, from feminine of ferus wild — more at fierce

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First Known Use: 1604

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feral Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of feral

brutal, brutish, bestial, feral mean characteristic of an animal in nature, action, or instinct. brutal applies to people, their acts, or their words and suggests a lack of intelligence, feeling, or humanity.