First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1wolf
noun, often attributive \ˈwu̇lf\
: a large wild animal that is similar to a dog and that often hunts in groups
plural wolves \ˈwu̇lvz\
Full Definition of WOLF
1
2
a (1) : a fierce, rapacious, or destructive person (2) : a man forward, direct, and zealous in amatory attentions to women b : dire poverty : starvation <keep the wolf from the door> c : the maggot of a warble fly
3
[German; from the howling sound] a (1) : dissonance in some chords on organs, pianos, or other instruments with fixed tones tuned by unequal temperament (2) : an instance of such dissonance b : a harshness due to faulty vibration in various tones in a bowed instrument
— wolf·like \ˈwu̇lf-ˌlīk\ adjective
— wolf in sheep's clothing
: one who cloaks a hostile intention with a friendly manner
See wolf defined for English-language learners
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Origin of WOLF
Middle English, from Old English wulf; akin to Old High German wolf wolf, Latin lupus, Greek lykos
Related to WOLF
- Synonyms
- Casanova, lecher, lothario, lounge lizard, masher, philanderer, satyr, Don Juan, womanizer
- Antonyms
- prey
2wolf
verb
: to eat (something) very quickly
Full Definition of WOLF
transitive verb
: to eat greedily : devour
See wolf defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WOLF
1862
Wolf
biographical name \ˈvȯlf\
Definition of WOLF
Friedrich August 1759–1824 Ger. philologist
Wolf
biographical name
Definition of WOLF
Hugo Philipp Jakob 1860–1903 Austrian composer
WOLF[1] Defined for Kids
1wolf
noun \ˈwu̇lf\
plural wolves \ˈwu̇lvz\
Definition of WOLF for Kids
1
: a large bushy-tailed wild animal that resembles the related domestic dog, eats meat, and often lives and hunts in packs
2
: a crafty or fierce person
— wolf·ish \ˈwu̇l-fish\ adjective
2wolf
verb
wolfedwolf·ing
Definition of WOLF for Kids
: to eat fast or greedily
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