First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1wild
adjective \ˈwī(-ə)ld\
of an animal : living in nature without human control or care : not tame
of a plant : growing or produced in nature : not grown or farmed by people
of land : not changed by people : not settled or developed
Full Definition of WILD
1
a : living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated <wild ducks> b (1) : growing or produced without human aid or care <wild honey> (2) : related to or resembling a corresponding cultivated or domesticated organism c : of or relating to wild organisms <the wild state>
2
a : not inhabited or cultivated <wild land> b : not amenable to human habitation or cultivation; also : desolate
3
a (1) : not subject to restraint or regulation : uncontrolled; also : unruly (2) : emotionally overcome <wild with grief>; also : passionately eager or enthusiastic <was wild to own a toy train — J. C. Furnas> b : marked by turbulent agitation : stormy <a wild night> c : going beyond normal or conventional bounds : fantastic <wild ideas>; also : sensational d : indicative of strong passion, desire, or emotion <a wild gleam of delight in his eyes — Irish Digest>
4
5
: characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society
6
a : deviating from the intended or expected course <wild spelling — C. W. Cunnington> <the throw was wild>; also : tending to throw inaccurately <a wild pitcher> b : having no basis in known or surmised fact <a wild guess>
7
of a playing card : able to represent any card designated by the holder
— wild·ish \ˈwī(-ə)l-dish\ adjective
— wild·ness \-nəs\ noun
See wild defined for English-language learners
See wild defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of WILD
Middle English wilde, from Old English; akin to Old High German wildi wild, Welsh gwyllt
Related to WILD
Other Ecology Terms
2wild
noun
the wilds : a large area of land where people do not live and where plants, trees, etc., grow freely
the wild : a wild, free, or natural place, state, or existence
Full Definition of WILD
1
: a sparsely inhabited or uncultivated region or tract : wilderness
2
: a wild, free, or natural state or existence
See wild defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WILD
13th century
Related to WILD
- Synonyms
- open, open air, outdoors, out-of-doors, nature, wilderness
Other Ecology Terms
Rhymes with WILD
3wild
adverb
: without being controlled
Full Definition of WILD
: in a wild manner: as a : without regulation or control <plants that grow wild> b : off an intended or expected course
See wild defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WILD
circa 1562
Related to WILD
- Synonyms
- amok (or amuck), berserk, berserkly, frantically, frenetically, frenziedly, harum-scarum, hectically, madly, pell-mell, helter–skelter, wildly
WILDISH Defined for Kids
1wild
adjective \ˈwīld\
wild·erwild·est
Definition of WILD for Kids
1
: living in a state of nature and not under human control and care : not tame <wild animals>
2
: growing or produced in nature : not cultivated by people <wild honey> <wild grapes>
3
: not civilized : savage <They sought out wild places in the mountains.>
4
: not kept under control : not restrained <wild rage> <a wild party>
5
: made without knowledge <a wild guess>
6
: done without accuracy <a wild throw>
7
: going beyond what is usual <wild colors>
2wild
noun
Definition of WILD for Kids
Learn More About WILD
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up wild? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).