First Known Use: 1646
Dictionary
ferocious
adjective fe·ro·cious \fə-ˈrō-shəs\
: very fierce or violent
: very great or extreme
Full Definition of FEROCIOUS
1
: exhibiting or given to extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <a ferocious predator>
2
: extremely intense <ferocious heat>
— fe·ro·cious·ly adverb
— fe·ro·cious·ness noun
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Origin of FEROCIOUS
Latin feroc-, ferox, literally, fierce looking, from ferus + -oc-, -ox (akin to Greek ōps eye) — more at eye
Related to FEROCIOUS
Synonym Discussion of FEROCIOUS
fierce, ferocious, barbarous, savage, cruel mean showing fury or malignity in looks or actions. fierce applies to humans and animals that inspire terror because of their wild and menacing aspect or fury in attack <fierce warriors>. ferocious implies extreme fierceness and unrestrained violence and brutality <a ferocious dog>. barbarous implies a ferocity or mercilessness regarded as unworthy of civilized people <barbarous treatment of prisoners>. savage implies the absence of inhibitions restraining civilized people filled with rage, lust, or other violent passion <a savage criminal>. cruel implies indifference to suffering and even positive pleasure in inflicting it <the cruel jokes of schoolboys>.
Rhymes with FEROCIOUS
FEROCIOUS Defined for Kids
ferocious
adjective fe·ro·cious \fə-ˈrō-shəs\
Definition of FEROCIOUS for Kids
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