WordGarden.iowild
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈaɪld/
US
- /ˈwaɪld/
Meanings
Adjective
living or growing in nature without being domesticated or controlled by people
uncontrolled, disorderly, or hard to restrain
very surprising, exciting, or extreme in an unusual way
Noun
wild country or nature away from human control or settlement
Beyond the definition
"Wild" often describes something that lives or grows in nature and is not raised or controlled by people, like a wild animal or wild berries in the hills. But the word is also used for things that feel out of control, full of energy, or hard to predict. A wild party may be noisy and chaotic, and a wild child may behave in a very free and unruly way.
It can also describe something extreme or unlikely. A wild guess is a guess with little real evidence behind it, and a wild ride is exciting because you do not know what will happen next. Whether it is about nature, behavior, or strong excitement, "wild" usually gives a sense of freedom, danger, energy, or lack of control.
The word "wild" carries a fascinating duality. At its core, it refers to a state of being natural, uncultivated, and existing outside of human intervention. Think of a "wild forest" teeming with life untouched by civilization, or a "wild horse" galloping across the plains—these represent life in its purest, most ancient form. This original meaning stems from the Old English word wilde, which essentially meant "untamed" or "in a state of nature."
However, the term has expanded to encompass behaviors and emotions that are unrestrained and energetic. A "wild celebration" is one filled with uninhibited joy, while someone described as "wildly enthusiastic" displays a passionate, fervent energy. This sense of untamed spirit can also lean toward recklessness or unpredictability; a "wild scheme" might be daring but dangerously risky, and a "wild accusation" is often impulsive and lacks a foundation in fact.
Interestingly, the concept of "wild" isn't inherently negative. It frequently suggests freedom, adventure, and a bold rejection of stifling societal norms. To live "in the wild" implies a deep connection to the earth and a life lived on one's own terms, while a "wild imagination" is creative, vivid, and unbound by convention. From the raw beauty of the natural world to the exhilarating chaos of human experience, "wild" captures a sense of intensity and a departure from the ordinary. It is a word that speaks to both our primal instincts and our boundless potential.
Examples
- 1
Animals
We saw wild deer at the edge of the forest.
- 2
Wild plants
These berries are wild, not grown on a farm.
- 3
Messy appearance
His hair looked wild after the motorcycle ride.
- 4
Excited crowd
The crowd went wild when the band came on stage.
- Phrasego wild
become very excited and noisy
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Party behavior
They had a wild party after the final exam.
- 6
Unusual idea
It sounds like a wild idea, but it might work.
- 7
Unbelievable story
I don't believe his wild story about seeing a shark in the river.
- 8
Guessing
It was just a wild guess, but somehow I was right.
- Phrasewild guess
a guess with very little information
- 9
Strong liking
She's wild about Japanese food these days.
- Phrasebe wild about
like something very much
- 10
Annoyance
That constant buzzing noise is driving me wild.
- Phrasedrive someone wild
make someone feel very annoyed or very excited
See also
Similar
- untamed
- undomesticated
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- wild animal
- wild plant
- in the wild
- wild population
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- wildnounadjectiveadverb
Forms
- wildercomparativeadjectivenounadverb
- wildestsuperlativeadjectivenounadverb
- wildspluralnounadjectiveadverb