wild
Looking for the meaning of wild? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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The undomesticated state of a wild animal
“After mending the lion's leg, we returned him to the wild.”
(chiefly in the plural) a wilderness
To commit random acts of assault, robbery, and rape in an urban setting, especially as a gang.
Untamed; not domesticated; specifically, in an unbroken line of undomesticated animals (as opposed to feral, referring to undomesticated animals whose ancestors were domesticated).
“Przewalski's horses are the only remaining wild horses.”
From or relating to wild creatures.
“wild honey”
Unrestrained or uninhibited.
“I was filled with wild rage when I discovered the infidelity, and punched a hole in the wall.”
Raucous, unruly, or licentious.
“The fraternity was infamous for its wild parties, which frequently resulted in police involvement.”
Visibly and overtly anxious; frantic.
“Her mother was wild with fear when she didn't return home after the party.”
Disheveled, tangled, or untidy.
“After a week on the trail without a mirror, my hair was wild and dirty.”
Enthusiastic.
“I'm not wild about the idea of a two day car trip with my nephews, but it's my only option.”
Inaccurate.
“The novice archer fired a wild shot and hit her opponent's target.”
Exposed to the wind and sea; unsheltered.
“a wild roadstead”
Hard to steer; said of a vessel.
(of a knot) Not capable of being represented as a finite closed polygonal chain.
Amazing, awesome, unbelievable.
“Did you hear? Pat won the lottery! - Wow, that's wild!”
Able to stand in for others, e.g. a card in games, or a text character in computer pattern matching.
“In this card game, aces are wild: they can take the place of any other card.”
Inaccurately; not on target.
“The javelin flew wild and struck a spectator, to the horror of all observing.”
Understanding "wild"
The word **"wild"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/waɪld/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"wild"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "wild" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "wild" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "wild" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /waɪld/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "wild" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "wild" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "wild" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "wild". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/waɪld/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "wild" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use wild in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "wild" can be used in academic and casual conversations.