Wolf

/wʊlf/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A large wild carnivorous mammal (Canis lupus) that is a member of the dog family and is known for its pack behavior and howling.

The wolf howled at the full moon, filling the night with its haunting call.

A person who is aggressively predatory or exploitative.

In the business world, he was considered a wolf, always looking to take advantage of the competition.

A person who is secretly destructive or subversive.

He was a wolf in sheep's clothing, pretending to be supportive while undermining the project.

verb

To eat or devour voraciously.

After the long hike, he wolfed down his dinner in just a few minutes.

Old English 'wulf', from Proto-Germanic *wulfaz, related to the Latin 'lupus' and Greek 'lykos'.

wolf in sheep's clothing:

A person who hides malicious intent under the guise of kindness.

thrown to the wolves:

To be put in a dangerous or difficult situation without support.

lone wolf:

A person who prefers to act independently rather than as part of a group.

Someone who is very good at seducing or attracting partners, often associated with aggressive pursuit.

He's such a wolf at parties, always surrounded by admirers.

To wolf down food means to eat quickly and greedily.

He wolfs down his dinner in just a few minutes.