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
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
Irish Digest4
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
C. W. Cunningtonthe 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
1
: a sparsely inhabited or uncultivated region or tract : wilderness
2
: a wild, free, or natural state or existence
: in a wild manner: such as
a
: without regulation or control
plants that grow wild
b
: off an intended or expected course
Synonyms
Examples of wild in a Sentence
Adjective
wild places high in the mountains
I felt a wild rage.
He was wild with anger.
The crowd went wild when the band took the stage.
Noun
They hiked through the wilds of Maine.
The plants were collected from the wild.
They will return the animal to the wild when it is healthy.
Could these animals survive in the wild?
I've only seen that animal in a zoo, never in the wild.
Adverb
These plants grow wild on the roadside.
as soon as the doors opened, early-morning bargain hunters ran wild through the store
Recent Examples on the Web
Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
The former stone church has stone pathways and wild gardens as shown in this listing photo.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 8 Nov. 2024
Allison Morrow, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
Things get a little wild during the Full Moon where clothing is entirely optional.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
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 
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
The only wild bears in the San Bernardino Mountains or anywhere else in the state are black bears, according to the Fish and Wildlife Department.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
The former stone church has stone pathways and wild gardens as shown in this listing photo.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
Here’s where things get a little wild: Next year, OpenAI estimates that its revenue will more than triple to $11.6 billion.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 4 Oct. 2024
Things get a little wild during the Full Moon where clothing is entirely optional.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 3 Oct. 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
Articles Related to wild
Dictionary Entries Near wild
Cite this Entry
“Wild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wild. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
wild
1 of 3 adjective1
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
adverb
ˈwī(ə)l-(d)lē
wild
2 of 3 nounwild
3 of 3 adverb1
: in a wild manner : wildly
2
: without rules or control
running wild
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share