# feral

/ˈfɛɹəɫ/ (US) · /fˈɛɹəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/feral
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. wild animal

adjective · CEFR B2

describes an animal that was once a pet or lived with humans but now lives in the wild.

For teachers: existing in a wild or untamed state, specifically referring to animals descended from domesticated ancestors.

- The city has a large population of feral cats that live in the park.
- Ecologists are concerned that feral hogs are destroying the native flora and outcompeting local wildlife for resources.

### 2. wild or chaotic behaviour

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

used to describe a person behaving in a wild, messy, or uncontrolled way.

For teachers: denoting human behaviour that is uninhibited, chaotic, or rejecting of social norms. Often used to describe intense excitement or a lack of grooming.

- The fans went feral when the singer finally walked onto the stage.
- After three days of camping in the rain without a shower, the group looked positively feral.

### 3. a wild animal

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

an animal that has escaped from a home or farm and now lives in the wild.

For teachers: a domesticated animal that has returned to the wild and lives independently of humans.

- The farmer had to protect his sheep from the ferals living in the woods.
- The management plan involves trapping and neutering ferals to prevent the colony from expanding further into the suburbs.

### 4. alternative lifestyle

noun · CEFR C2 · Dialect · Informal

a person who lives away from modern society, often in the woods or bush.

For teachers: a person who has isolated themselves from mainstream society, typically to live an alternative or subsistence lifestyle.

- He left his office job to live as a feral in the mountains.
- The local community of ferals lived entirely off the grid, trading handmade goods for the few supplies they could not grow themselves.

Usage: Primarily found in Australian English.

## Examples

- The cat went feral after living in the woods for a year.
- After three days of camping in the rain without a shower, the group started to look and act a bit feral.
- The documentary explores how domestic pigs can become feral within a single generation when released into an environment where they must forage and defend themselves against natural predators.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.