1
a
: living in a state of nature and not ordinarily tame or domesticated
wild ducks
b(1)
: growing or produced without human aid or care
wild honey
(2)
: related to or resembling a corresponding cultivated or domesticated organism
c
: of or relating to wild organisms
the wild state
2
a
: not inhabited or cultivated
wild land
b
: not amenable to human habitation or cultivation
also : desolate
3
a(1)
: not subject to restraint or regulation : uncontrolled
also : unruly
(2)
: emotionally overcome
wild with grief
also : passionately eager or enthusiastic
was wild to own a toy train J. C. Furnas
b
: marked by turbulent agitation : stormy
a wild night
c
: going beyond normal or conventional bounds : fantastic
wild ideas
also : sensational
d
: indicative of strong passion, desire, or emotion
a wild gleam of delight in his eyes Irish Digest
4
5
: characteristic of, appropriate to, or expressive of wilderness, wildlife, or a simple or uncivilized society
6
a
: deviating from the intended or expected course
wild spelling C. W. Cunnington
the throw was wild
also : tending to throw inaccurately
a wild pitcher
b
: having no basis in known or surmised fact
a wild guess
7
of a playing card : able to represent any card designated by the holder

wild

2 of 3

noun

1
: a sparsely inhabited or uncultivated region or tract : wilderness
2
: a wild, free, or natural state or existence

wild

3 of 3

adverb

: in a wild manner: such as
a
: without regulation or control
plants that grow wild
b
: off an intended or expected course

Examples of wild in a Sentence

Adjective wild places high in the mountains I felt a wild rage. He was wild with anger.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This is a trek across rugged tundra alongside wild lakes and rivers amidst the vast expanses of wilderness that define Alaska. Everett Potter, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024 Cakes were often sweetened with homemade jams, filled with wild berries and mountain fruits. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024
Noun
Then America went pizza-oven wild during the pandemic. Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024 Meanwhile, our exploitation of animals, both farmed and wild, on a massive scale is putting public health at immense risk. Crystal Heath and Gene Baur, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
Adverb
All of it wild-caught. Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, 14 Aug. 2020 Our first stop is in a wild-looking stretch 200 yards south of the railroad tracks and State Street. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for wild 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English wilde, from Old English; akin to Old High German wildi wild, Welsh gwyllt

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

circa 1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wild was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wild

Cite this Entry

“Wild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wild. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

1
a
: living in a state of nature and not under human control and care
wild animals
b
: growing or produced without human aid and care
wild honey
c
: of or relating to wild organisms
the wild state
2
: not inhabited or cultivated
wild land
3
a
: not being under control
wild rage
a wild young stallion
b
: marked by disturbance and confusion
a wild night
c
: going beyond what is usual : fantastic
wild colors
wild ideas
4
: not civilized : savage
5
: being far off the intended course
a wild pitch
6
: having no basis in fact
a wild guess
7
: able to represent any card designated by the holder
poker with deuces wild
wildly
ˈwī(ə)l-(d)lē
adverb

wild

2 of 3 noun

wild

3 of 3 adverb
1
: in a wild manner : wildly
2
: without rules or control
running wild

More from Merriam-Webster on wild

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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