# wildcat

/ˈwaɪɫdˌkæt/ (US) · /wˈaɪldkæt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wildcat
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

a small, fierce animal that looks like a house cat but lives in nature. It can also describe a person who is very angry or a business project that is risky and unplanned.

For teachers: a small, undomesticated feline species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, known for its solitary and aggressive nature. Often used metaphorically to describe a quick-tempered person or an unauthorised, sudden industrial action.

## Examples

- The wildcat hid in the tall grass to hunt.
- The factory workers started a wildcat strike without the approval of their union leaders.
- While the domestic cat is a common pet, its ancestor, the European wildcat, remains a reclusive predator that avoids human contact and maintains a strictly carnivorous diet.

## Usage notes

- Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as in 'wildcat strike' or 'wildcat well'.

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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.