B1noun5K

Wolf

UK /["/wʊlf/","/wʊlvz/"]/US /["/wʊlf/","/wʊlvz/"]/

Definition

a large wild animal of the dog family, that lives and hunts in groups

In simple words: A wild animal that looks like a large dog, usually lives in packs.

Examples

  • She compared the media to a pack of ravening/ravenous wolves.
  • A lone wolf howled under the full moon.
  • Labour groups are often seen as the big bad wolf.
  • She called the media ‘ravening wolves’.
  • a story of a young boy raised by wolves

Usage notes

Use 'wolf' when talking about the animal in a general sense. It is appropriate in both casual conversation and formal writing, especially in contexts related to wildlife or nature. Avoid using it in contexts unrelated to animals to prevent confusion.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'howl' and 'wolf' together; imagine a wolf howling at the moon.

Collocations

  • lone
  • wild
  • hungry
  • pack
  • growl
  • howl
  • hunt
  • cub
  • pack

Synonyms

  • canine
  • predator
  • beast

Antonyms

  • sheep
  • domestic dog

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'wolves' as the incorrect plural for a single wolf.
  • Using 'wolf' in place of 'dog' without context.
  • Assuming the word only refers to the animal and not also to cultural references (e.g., characters in folklore).