ferocious

fe-ro-cious · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Savagely fierce, cruel, or violent; extremely aggressive.

  2. 2.

    Extremely intense or severe.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    ferocious appetite — an extremely strong desire for food
  • •
    ferocious debate — an intensely heated argument or discussion

Related words

Antonyms: gentle, mild, tame
See also: fierce, savage, violent
Synonyms: brutal, fierce, savage, vicious

Etymology

From Latin ferox ("fierce, wild"), from ferus ("wild") + -ox (suffix indicating tendency). Entered English in the 17th century through French feroce.