domesticated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "domesticated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe animals that have been tamed and bred by humans for companionship or agricultural purposes. Example: "The domesticated dog has been a loyal companion to humans for thousands of years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was unlike the domestication of dogs, where a small number of wolves probably domesticated themselves, by cosying up to groups of people and acting as four-legged garbage-disposal units, before being selectively in-bred into the varieties seen today.

The Economist

It domesticates, quite literally, what was once seen as a threat.Precisely the fear of being domesticated led many gay activists, at the time of The Economist's cover, to support the idea of marriage equality warily, if at all.

The Economist

In this way the riots of 2005 were domesticated and made part of a traditionally French form of protest.

The Guardian

"The narcos have domesticated us," Valdez said.

The Guardian

On both sides of the Atlantic, attitudes were shifting too.The howl of natureAlthough man domesticated his best friend from the species at least 15,000 years ago, he has long regarded the wolf as his worst enemy.

The Economist

Some are helped by kunkis, trained, domesticated elephants.

The Economist

It was only with the ancestors of the species that now grace farmyards that they got results.Melinda Zeder of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, who studies the process by which goats were domesticated, observes that the wild forms of those species that have been domesticated tend to live in groups and have fairly clear dominance hierarchies.

The Economist

They also knew that any species (domesticated swine being one) which carries receptors of both types could act as a mixing vessel.

The Economist

So human rights law must clean up the mess.Even in Westminster the Human Rights Act has been domesticated.

The Economist

In "Guns, Germs and Steel", his 1997 bestseller, he brushed aside the arrogant view that ascribed Europe's dominance to human biology, stressing instead the continent's environmental advantages, notably its native wheat and barley and its easily domesticated animals.

The Economist

It seemed exotic everywhere, never quite for the right reasons.Before the Spaniards brought the Mesoamerican turkey to Europe, it had been domesticated by forerunners of the Aztecs, first for its colourful feathers and then for its meat.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the historical relationship between humans and animals, use "domesticated" to emphasize the selective breeding and long-term co-evolution that has occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "domesticated" loosely to describe anything that has been merely tamed or controlled. Reserve it for situations where selective breeding and significant adaptation have occurred.

Linguistic Context

The word "domesticated" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe animals or plants selectively bred for human use. Ludwig AI confirms this is the proper usage, showing instances in news, science, and business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "domesticated" is a versatile adjective primarily employed to describe plants and animals that have undergone selective breeding for human use. As Ludwig AI confirms, its proper use spans diverse contexts, from scientific discussions to news reports. While generally appropriate, overuse in metaphorical contexts should be avoided. Related terms include "tamed", "cultivated", and "house-trained", each carrying slightly different nuances. Remember that when you use the word "domesticated", you are highlighting the historical relationship between humans and animals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Tamed

Implies a reduction in wildness and adaptation to human handling, similar to "domesticated" but can refer to individual animals rather than entire species.

Cultivated

Focuses on the human effort involved in developing and maintaining plants or animals for specific purposes, like farming.

Bred in captivity

Highlights the controlled reproduction of animals, often implying genetic selection for desired traits.

Acclimated

Describes the process of adapting to a new environment or set of conditions, whether natural or human-influenced.

Civilized

Implies refinement and orderliness, often used metaphorically to describe the adaptation of something to a more controlled state.

House-trained

Specifically refers to training animals to behave appropriately within a domestic setting.

Trained

Focuses on teaching specific behaviors or skills, often used in the context of animal companions or working animals.

Adapted

Describes how species evolve traits and behaviours that better fit their environment. If it is a human environment, it can have similarities with domesticated.

Broken

Often refers to horses and indicates the animal's resistance has been overcome to make it rideable.

Docile

Describes animals that are easily managed and agreeable, suggesting a temperament suitable for domestication.

FAQs

How is "domesticated" used in a sentence?

You can use "domesticated" to describe animals or plants that have been selectively bred to live with humans, such as "The "domesticated dog" is a loyal companion."

What's a good substitute for "domesticated"?

Depending on the context, you could use "tamed", "cultivated", or "house-trained" as alternatives to "domesticated".

Is it correct to say an idea was "domesticated"?

While less common, "domesticated" can be used metaphorically to describe something that has been made more manageable or integrated into a familiar context, but it's important to ensure the analogy is clear and effective.

What are some examples of animals that are commonly "domesticated"?

Common examples of "domesticated" animals include dogs, cats, cows, chickens, and pigs. These species have undergone significant changes through selective breeding by humans.