the wild

Beyond civilization's edge

The wild is nature uncultivated and uncontrolled by humans—forests, jungles, open country where animals roam free.

A creature released into the wild returns to its natural habitat.

The phrase often carries romantic or dangerous overtones: out in the wild, call of the wild.

In tech contexts, in the wild means encountered in real-world conditions rather than controlled environments: We've seen this bug in the wild.

Related
  • bearLarge furry omnivore
  • deerAntlered hoofed mammal
  • desertTo leave behind completely
  • eagleLarge predatory bird
  • big gameLarge hunted wildlife

forest · camping · primal · rawness · feral · hiking · liberation · untamed · animal instincts · instinctive · wolf · freedom · bushcraft · nature · jungle · beasts · unpredictable · foraging

Opposites
domestication/civilization

the wildcivilization

Advanced organized human society

captivity · domestication · urban areas · the farm · cultivation

confinement/freedom

the wildcaptivity

State of being confined

the pen · confinement · imprisonment · domesticity

safety/danger

the wildshelter

Protected place or structure

safety · sanctuary · refuge · protection · security

Family

wild, wildly, wilderness, wilds, wildlife, bewilder, wildness, wildfire, wildest

Familiarity
Top 20,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G