feral

IPA/ˈferəl/
KK[fˈɛrəl]IPA/ˈferəl/

feral — adjective

  • feralpositive
  • more feralcomparative
  • most feralsuperlative

1. applies to an animal that has returned to a wild existence after being raised or

1.形容詞B2
釋義

applies to an animal that has returned to a wild existence after being raised or kept by humans, so it now hunts, forages, or survives without any assistance.

例句

In rural Australia, feral pigs cause serious damage to farmland and native wildlife.

collocation: feral pig / feral cat / feral dog — animal that was once tame

The shelter takes in feral cats, neuters them, and finds homes for the kittens.

同義詞
  • wild

    broader term; covers both never-domesticated and formerly domesticated animals

  • undomesticated

    more formal and technical; includes animals never exposed to human care

  • untamed

    emphasizes absence of training or human control rather than origin

反義詞
  • tame

    describes an animal comfortable with human contact and handling

  • domesticated

    describes a species that has lived under human care for generations

文法句型

feral + [animal]

be + feral

用法筆記

Usually describes animals (cats, dogs, pigs, goats, horses) whose ancestors were once domesticated. Less commonly used for plants that escape from cultivation.

常見錯誤

❌Wolves are feral animals in this region.
✅Wolves are wild animals in this region.
💡Feral only applies to animals whose ancestors were once tame; wolves were never domesticated.
❌They found a feral rabbit in the forest.
✅They found a wild rabbit in the forest.
💡Unless the rabbit is known to be an escaped pet, use wild for animals never raised by humans.

2. wildly fierce or aggressive in a way that reminds you of a dangerous wild animal

2.形容詞B2
釋義

wildly fierce or aggressive in a way that reminds you of a dangerous wild animal, especially describing a person's expression, sound, or behavior.

例句

A feral scream echoed through the alley as Mira fought off the attacker.

collocation: feral scream / feral cry — wild, beast-like sound

The prisoner's feral glare made the guards step back instinctively.

同義詞
  • savage

    implies cruelty and violent attack, stronger than feral

  • ferocious

    very close in meaning; ferocious emphasizes fury, feral emphasizes primitive wildness

  • vicious

    suggests deliberate intent to harm, not just wildness

  • wild

    broader and less intense; can describe many kinds of uncontrolled behavior

反義詞
  • gentle

    kind and soft in behavior, opposite of aggressive wildness

  • docile

    easily managed or trained, not at all threatening

  • tame

    calm and controlled, lacking any wildness

文法句型

feral + [expression/behavior]

a + feral + [noun]

用法筆記

Common with nouns describing facial expressions (look, glare, grin) and sounds (scream, cry, roar). Carries a dramatic or literary tone; avoided in neutral factual writing.

常見錯誤

❌The dog gave a feral bark.
✅The dog gave a fierce bark.
💡If the dog is a normal pet, feral sounds unnatural; use fierce, loud, or angry instead.
❌She felt a feral sadness after the breakup.
✅She felt a crushing sadness after the breakup.
💡Feral describes aggressive or threatening behavior, not emotional pain.