Word of the Day: Feral (adjective)
Possible Meanings:
- (Of an animal) Having reverted to a wild state from domestication. (Most common meaning)
- (Of a person) Behaving in a wild or uncontrolled way. (Less common)
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Example Sentences (Animals):
- The stray dog was quite feral, wary of humans and unwilling to be approached. (Explanation: Feral describes the dog’s wild behavior after likely being domesticated previously.)
- The park rangers warned us about the feral hogs in the area, known for being aggressive. (Explanation: Here, feral describes the wild boars that were once domesticated livestock.)
Example Sentences (People – Less Common):
- After years living in isolation, the hermit emerged, acting in a rather feral manner. (Explanation: Feral describes the person’s wild and untamed behavior due to social isolation.)
- The crowd at the concert became feral, pushing and shoving to get closer to the stage. (Explanation: Less common usage – feral describes the uncontrolled and chaotic behavior of the crowd.)
Conversation Example (Animals):
Person 1: “Wow, look at that abandoned house. Do you think any animals live there?”
Person 2: “It’s possible. There have been reports of feral cats roaming the neighborhood.”
Can you use feral in a sentence of your own? Share your example in the comments below.