savage

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈsævɪdʒ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: sav‧age

Adjective

Positive savage

Comparative more savage

Superlative most savage

1. Savage actions are very violent and cruel.

   The soldiers' savage attack caused fear among the people.

2. A savage wind, attack, animal, etc is very wild and uncontrolled.
   • Antonym: mild

   A savage wind knocked over the trees.

3. If you call a tribe or other group of people savage, you believe they lack civilization.

   The Christian church planned to bring civilization to the savage peoples of the Americas.

Noun

Singular savage

Plural savages

1. (countable) If you call a person a savage, you believe they lack civilization and are violent or animal-like.
   • Synonym: barbarian

   We were attacked in our homes as we slept by the savages.

   These forest savages have no system of writing.

Verb

Plain form savage

Third-person singular savages

Past tense savaged

Past participle savaged

Present participle savaging

1. (transitive) If a person or animal savages someone, they attack them violently.

   The dog savaged the intruder, causing severe injuries.

2. (transitive) If you savage someone, you criticize them strongly.

   The journalist savaged the politician's performance in the debate.

Related words

• savagely
• savagery