Savage
/ˈsævɪdʒ/
adjectivenounverbB2
Definition
Savage means wild and untamed, often showing strong, fierce, or violent behavior. It can describe animals, people, or actions that are very rough or cruel. Sometimes, it also means very strong or extreme in a way that is not gentle or kind.
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See It in Action
Very wild, fierce, or violent behavior or nature
- •The savage storm destroyed many houses.
- •The tiger showed savage strength during the hunt.
- •He fought with savage anger in the battle.
A person considered uncivilized or wild (often old or offensive use)
- •Early explorers described the tribe as savages.
- •The story unfairly called the villagers savages.
To attack fiercely or violently (verb)
- •The dog savaged the intruder.
- •The wolves savaged their prey in the forest.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "savage" like "wild" (A1 word), but much stronger and more dangerous, not calm or friendly
- ✓Picture a wild animal like a lion hunting in the jungle, very fierce and powerful
- ✓It's the feeling when someone or something is very rough or harsh, like a strong storm or a fierce fight
- ✓Sounds like "SAV-ij" → imagine a "save" button being smashed fiercely, showing strong force
- ✓In stories, savages are often shown as wild people living far from cities, acting without rules
- ✓NOT like "wild" (which can be free and natural), "savage" often means dangerous and violent
- ✓NOT like "angry" (a feeling), "savage" describes behavior that is fierce and sometimes cruel
- ✓NOT like "strong" in a good way, "savage" is strong but often negative or scary
Try Other Words
- •Fierce: very strong and aggressive (Use when focusing on strong, intense behavior without the idea of being uncivilized)
- •Violent: using physical force to hurt (Use when emphasizing harm or attack)
- •Brutal: very cruel or harsh (Use when focusing on cruelty or harshness)
- •Wild: uncontrolled or natural (Use when the idea is about freedom without danger)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root word "savage")
- •Etymology: From Old French "sauvage," from Latin "silvaticus," meaning "of the woods" or "wild"
- •Historical development: Originally described wild or untamed nature, later used for people seen as uncivilized by others
- •Modern usage: Used to describe fierce, violent, or extreme behavior; can be informal slang meaning impressive or harsh in a strong way; sometimes considered offensive in old use describing people
Reflect & Connect
•How can the word "savage" be both negative and positive depending on the situation or tone?
•Why do you think people once used "savage" to describe other groups, and how does that affect how we use the word today?
Fill in the blanks
1.The storm was so ___ that it broke windows and knocked down trees ___ the town.
2.When the lion attacked, it showed ___ strength and did not stop until it caught its prey.
3.The explorer called the tribe ___ because they lived far from cities and followed different customs, but today this word is considered ___.
4.The dog savaged the stranger because it felt ___ and ___.
5.He made a ___ comment that hurt his friend's feelings deeply.
6.In modern slang, calling someone "savage" can mean they did something ___ or very ___.
7.Unlike a calm or gentle animal, a savage animal is ___ and ___ in its behavior.