Definition of feral
1 : of, relating to, or suggestive of a wild beast feral teeth feral instincts
2a : not domesticated or cultivated : wild feral animalsb : having escaped from domestication and become wild feral cats
feral
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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
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An arrow that was used to shoot a possibly feral cat in Kailua Kona.
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District heath officials said in a news release that feral cats born in the wild shouldn’t be treated like domestic animals and that no attempt should be made to capture or feed them.
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In Australia, with its 3 million pet cats and 20 million feral cats (and about 23 million people), cats have contributed to wiping out several mouse, rat, and bandicoot species.
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CHICAGO—Chicago isn’t counting on feral cats alone to combat a 40% jump in complaints about rats this year.
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Ms. Wylde would prefer the city establish a feral cat sanctuary.
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Just don't leave your windows open to let in a breeze—there is a spirited local population of feral cats.
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Many of the horses rounded up that day were not feral, but owned by Navajos who either lacked a grazing permit or exceeded the maximum allowable number of two horses per permit.
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Origin and Etymology of feral
Medieval Latin feralis, from Latin fera wild animal, from feminine of ferus wild — more at fierce
First Known Use: 1604
Synonym Discussion of feral
FERAL Defined for English Language Learners
feral
playDefinition of feral for English Language Learners
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: of, relating to, or resembling a wild beast
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—used to describe an animal (such as a cat or dog) that has escaped and become wild
FERAL Defined for Kids
feral
playDefinition of feral for Students
: having escaped from the care of people and become wild feral pigs
Learn More about feral
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See words that rhyme with feral Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for feral Nglish: Translation of feral for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of feral for Arabic speakers
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