Word
werewolf
Phoneticswere·wolf, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɛɹˌwʊɫf/
UK/wˈeəwʊlf/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person in stories who changes into a wolf when there is a full moon. They usually have super strength and can only be hurt by silver.
n. a mythical being who undergoes a periodic transformation from human to lupine form, typically triggered by the appearance of a full moon.
Examples
“The legend says a werewolf only changes during a full moon.”
“In many horror movies, the protagonist realizes they are a werewolf after waking up in the woods with no memory of the night.”
“Folklore regarding the werewolf varies across cultures, but most modern interpretations emphasize the tragic loss of human consciousness during the violent physical metamorphosis.”
Examples
simple
“The legend says a werewolf only changes during a full moon.”
contextual
“In many horror movies, the protagonist realizes they are a werewolf after waking up in the woods with no memory of the night.”
complex
“Folklore regarding the werewolf varies across cultures, but most modern interpretations emphasize the tragic loss of human consciousness during the violent physical metamorphosis.”
Usage
Often used in the context of horror fiction, mythology, or folklore.
Etymology
From Middle English werwolf, from Old English werewulf, from Proto-West Germanic werawulf, from Proto-West Germanic wer (“man”) + *wulf (“wolf”). Cognate with Dutch weerwolf, Low German Warwulf, German Werwolf, Danish varulv, Swedish varulv, and even possibly Finnish vironsusi. By surface analysis, were- + wolf. Compare French garou in loup-garou; French dialectal gairou, varou (“werewolf”); Medieval Latin gerulphus, garulphus (“werewolf”); all from Germanic, probably Frankish werawulf.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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