Words / C1

FER-uh-l/ˈferəl/

Feral means wild, especially after living among humans and then returning to the wild: feral cats, a feral colony. Wild is everyday; “character” is not a health-and-safety log.

Meaning

Wild, especially after living among humans and then returning to the wild.

Examples

• “Feral cats in the store are a health-and-safety log, not “character”.”
• “Wild is everyday. Untamed is the close twin. Character is a slogan. A dated inspection is a file. Clear the store; save character for the heritage leaflet if the inspector still allows it.”

Good to know

Wild (especially once-domestic). Everyday: wild. “Character” ≠ a safety log.

Near in meaning

wild, untamed, undomesticated

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