feral definition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feral definition" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the meaning of "feral" in various contexts, such as wildlife or behavior. An example could be: "The feral definition of the animal highlights its wild and untamed nature." Alternative expressions could be "wild definition" or "untamed definition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

To test which definition applied to feral horses, in 1974 the New Mexico Livestock Board seized 19 free-roaming feral burros which were preventing cattle from using a watering hole on federal land.

Wikipedia

Secondly, it is hard to nail down the definition of a feral pig.

The Economist

Know the definition of a feral cat.

WikiHow

Another choice includes amending the current rule to change the definition of "release" to exclude returning feral cats to the same locations where they were captured.

Britannica

State-issued definitions may assume that they have the characteristics of wild boar, even though many feral pigs look more like their domesticated cousins.

The Economist

feral manner".

The New Yorker

The feral pigeon.

Independent

A few feral children?

The New York Times

What about feral cats?

The New York Times

Feral hogs, to be exact.

The New York Times

Feral cats are like that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the term "feral" specifically when referring to a species that was once domesticated but has returned to a wild or untamed state. This distinguishes it from "wild" animals that have never been under human control.

Common error

Avoid using "feral" to describe animals like lions or bears in their natural habitat. While these animals are wild, they are not feral because they lack a history of domestication. Reserved "feral" for stray cats, escaped livestock, or abandoned horses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feral definition" functions as a noun phrase typically used to identify a specific concept or search parameter. In the examples provided by Ludwig, the term "feral" often acts as an adjective modifying a noun (e.g., "feral cats", "feral pigs"), while "definition" appears in phrases like "definition of a feral pig" to establish legal or biological boundaries.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, while the specific string "feral definition" is a common search term, real-world usage favors the more descriptive "definition of feral". The term is essential for distinguishing between wild-born species and those that have returned to nature after a period of domestication. Ludwig highlights that this distinction is not merely linguistic but has significant legal and ecological implications, particularly in the management of invasive species like feral hogs or the protection of feral horses. When writing, ensure you are not using it as a simple synonym for "wild", as the history of human interaction is the defining characteristic of a feral animal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definition of feral

Uses a prepositional structure which is more common in formal writing.

meaning of feral

Replaces 'definition' with a synonym focused on semantic understanding.

feral animal meaning

Specifically targets the biological subject (animal) within the query.

what does feral mean

Rephrases the query as a direct question.

untamed definition

Uses 'untamed' as a near-synonym, though 'feral' specifically implies prior domestication.

wild animal description

Broadens the scope to include animals that were never domesticated.

feral nature explained

Focuses on the characteristics and behavior associated with being feral.

feral vs wild

Shifts the focus to the comparative distinction between two related states.

synonyms for feral

Focuses on lexical alternatives rather than a full definition.

origin of feral

Inquires about the etymological or biological roots of the term.

FAQs

How to use "feral definition" in a sentence?

You can use it in a search context or a technical discussion, such as: "The <a href="/s/feral+definition" target="_blank" rel="alternative">feral definition varies slightly between livestock laws and wildlife biology."

What can I say instead of "feral definition"?

Common alternatives include "<a href="/s/meaning+of+feral" target="_blank" rel="alternative">meaning of feral", "<a href="/s/definition+of+feral" target="_blank" rel="alternative">definition of feral", or "<a href="/s/feral+explanation" target="_blank" rel="alternative">feral explanation" depending on your context.

What's the difference between "feral" and "wild"?

The term "<a href="/s/wild" target="_blank" rel="alternative">wild" refers to animals that live in a natural state without human intervention, whereas "feral" specifically describes formerly domesticated animals living in the wild.

Is "feral definition" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is a correct noun phrase, though in prose it is often more natural to say "the definition of feral" to improve flow.