Wild vs. Wilde — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 19, 2024
"Wild" describes nature in its untamed state or something chaotic, while "Wilde" is typically a surname, most famously Oscar Wilde, an Irish writer.
Difference Between Wild and Wilde
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wild often refers to natural environments or species that are untamed and undomesticated, emphasizing their lack of human influence. Whereas Wilde is a surname associated with literature and wit, most notably with Oscar Wilde, an iconic figure in the literary world.
Wild is also used to describe behavior or situations that are uncontrollably chaotic or unstructured. On the other hand, Wilde represents the cultivation of art and intellect, as evidenced by Oscar Wilde's contributions to literature and drama.
Wild can be used as an adjective, noun, or adverb, making it versatile in English language usage. While Wilde, primarily used as a proper noun, lacks such versatility and is specific to individuals or families with that name.
Wild conveys a sense of freedom and spontaneity, often associated with natural beauty or fierce independence. Whereas Wilde evokes thoughts of sharp wit, sophisticated irony, and a complex persona, particularly through the legacy of Oscar Wilde.
Wild landscapes are often used as settings in literature and film to depict raw and primal beauty. While Wilde as a literary figure, uses such settings metaphorically to explore human nature and societal norms.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Untamed, natural state
A surname, notably Oscar Wilde
Usage in Speech
Adjective, noun, adverb
Proper noun
Associated With
Nature, chaos
Literature, wit
Connotations
Freedom, spontaneity
Intellectual, sophisticated
Examples in Art
Landscapes in literature
Literary themes and characters
Compare with Definitions
Wild
Chaotic or unruly.
The party turned wild after midnight.
Wilde
Surname of Oscar Wilde.
Wilde's plays remain influential in theatre.
Wild
Passionately enthusiastic.
They were wild about the new movie.
Wilde
Pertaining to Oscar Wilde’s works.
The Wildean wit is sharp and distinct.
Wild
Untamed and natural.
The wild forest was untouched by human hands.
Wilde
Referencing a sophisticated aesthetic.
Their home decor is quite Wilde-esque.
Wild
Extremely improbable.
She had some wild ideas about time travel.
Wilde
Evocative of literary sophistication.
Her writing style is reminiscent of Wilde's eloquence.
Wild
Fierce or ferocious.
The wild look in his eyes scared me.
Wilde
Characterized by intellectual charm.
His Wilde-like commentary amused everyone at the dinner.
Wild
(of an animal or plant) living or growing in the natural environment; not domesticated or cultivated
Wild strawberries
A herd of wild goats
Wilde
Wilde is a surname.
Wild
(of a place or region) uninhabited, uncultivated, or inhospitable
The wild coastline of Cape Wrath
An expanse of wild moorland
Wilde
Irish writer and wit (1854-1900)
Wild
Lacking discipline or restraint
Wild parties were never her scene
Wild
Not based on sound reasoning or probability
A wild guess
Wild rumours were circulating
Performing in Hollywood was beyond my wildest dreams
Who, even in their wildest dreams, could have anticipated such a victory?
Wild
(of a playing card) deemed to have any value, suit, colour, or other property in a game at the discretion of the player holding it.
Wild
A natural state or uncultivated or uninhabited region
Kiwis are virtually extinct in the wild
Wild
Treat (a person or animal) harshly, so that they become untrusting or nervous
Let your pigeon fly for a while: we don't want to wild him
Wild
Occurring, growing, or living in a natural state; not domesticated, cultivated, or tamed
Wild geese.
Edible wild plants.
Wild
Not inhabited or farmed
Remote, wild country.
Wild
Uncivilized or barbarous.
Wild
Lacking supervision or restraint
Wild children living in the street.
Wild
Disorderly; unruly
A wild scene in the school cafeteria.
Wild
Characterized by a lack of moral restraint; dissolute or licentious
Recalled his wild youth with remorse.
Wild
Lacking regular order or arrangement; disarranged
Wild locks of long hair.
Wild
Full of, marked by, or suggestive of strong, uncontrolled emotion
Wild with jealousy.
A wild look in his eye.
A wild rage.
Wild
Extravagant; fantastic
A wild idea.
Wild
Furiously disturbed or turbulent; stormy
Wild weather.
Wild
Risky; imprudent
Wild financial schemes.
Wild
Impatiently eager
Wild to get away for the weekend.
Wild
(Informal) Highly enthusiastic
Just wild about the new music.
Wild
Based on little or no evidence or probability; unfounded
Wild accusations.
A wild guess.
Wild
Deviating greatly from an intended course; erratic
A wild bullet.
Wild
(Games) Having an equivalence or value determined by the cardholder's choice
Playing poker with deuces wild.
Wild
In a wild manner
Growing wild.
Roaming wild.
Wild
A natural or undomesticated state
Returned the zoo animals to the wild.
Plants that grow abundantly in the wild.
Wild
Often wilds A region that is mostly uninhabited or uncultivated
The wilds of the northern steppes.
Wild
To go about in a group threatening, robbing, or attacking others.
Wild
; not domesticated; specifically, in an unbroken line of undomesticated animals (as opposed to feral, referring to undomesticated animals whose ancestors were domesticated).
Przewalski's horses are the only remaining wild horses.
Wild
From or relating to wild creatures.
Wild honey
Wild
Unrestrained or uninhibited.
I was filled with wild rage when I discovered the infidelity, and punched a hole in the wall.
Wild
, unruly, or licentious.
The fraternity was infamous for its wild parties, which frequently resulted in police involvement.
Wild
(electrical engineering) Of unregulated and varying frequency.
The aircraft's navigational equipment should not be powered from the wild AC bus except in an emergency, as its computers can be damaged by variations in electrical frequency.
Wild
Visibly and overtly anxious; frantic.
Her mother was wild with fear when she didn't return home after the party.
Wild
; very angry.
Wild
, tangled, or untidy.
After a week on the trail without a mirror, my hair was wild and dirty.
Wild
Very inaccurate; far off the mark.
The novice archer fired a wild shot and hit her opponent's target.
Wild
To the wind and sea; unsheltered.
A wild roadstead
Wild
To steer.
Wild
Not capable of being represented as a finite closed polygonal chain.
Wild
(slang) Amazing, awesome, unbelievable.
Did you hear? Pat won the lottery! — Wow, that's wild!
Wild
Able to stand in for others, e.g. a card in games, or a text character in computer pattern matching.
In this card game, aces are wild: they can take the place of any other card.
Wild
Of an audio recording: intended to be synchronized with film or video but recorded separately.
A wild track; wild sound
Wild
Inaccurately; not on target.
The javelin flew wild and struck a spectator, to the horror of all observing.
Wild
(of an audio recording) Intended to be synchronized with film or video but recorded separately.
Let's record it wild.
Wild
The undomesticated state of a wild animal.
After mending the lion's leg, we returned him to the wild.
Wild
A wilderness.
Wild
To commit random acts of assault, robbery, and rape in an urban setting, especially as a gang.
Wild
(In the form wilding or wildin') To act in a strange or unexpected way.
Wild
Living in a state of nature; inhabiting natural haunts, as the forest or open field; not familiar with, or not easily approached by, man; not tamed or domesticated; as, a wild boar; a wild ox; a wild cat.
Winter's not gone yet, if the wild geese fly that way.
Wild
Growing or produced without culture; growing or prepared without the aid and care of man; native; not cultivated; brought forth by unassisted nature or by animals not domesticated; as, wild parsnip, wild camomile, wild strawberry, wild honey.
The woods and desert caves,With wild thyme and gadding vine o'ergrown.
Wild
Desert; not inhabited or cultivated; as, wild land.
Wild
Savage; uncivilized; not refined by culture; ferocious; rude; as, wild natives of Africa or America.
Wild
Not submitted to restraint, training, or regulation; turbulent; tempestuous; violent; ungoverned; licentious; inordinate; disorderly; irregular; fanciful; imaginary; visionary; crazy.
What are theseSo withered and so wild in their attire ?
With mountains, as with weapons, armed; which makesWild work in heaven.
The wild winds howl.
Search then the ruling passion, there, aloneThe wild are constant, and the cunning known.
Wild
Exposed to the wind and sea; unsheltered; as, a wild roadstead.
Wild
Indicating strong emotion, intense excitement, or ewilderment; as, a wild look.
Wild
Hard to steer; - said of a vessel.
Wild
An uninhabited and uncultivated tract or region; a forest or desert; a wilderness; a waste; as, the wilds of America; the wilds of Africa.
Then Libya first, of all her moisture drained,Became a barren waste, a wild of sand.
Wild
Wildly; as, to talk wild.
Wild
A wild primitive state untouched by civilization;
He lived in the wild
Wild
A wild and uninhabited area
Wild
Marked by extreme lack of restraint or control;
Wild ideas
Wild talk
Wild originality
Wild parties
Wild
In a natural state; not tamed or domesticated or cultivated;
Wild geese
Edible wild plants
Wild
In a state of extreme emotion;
Wild with anger
Wild with grief
Wild
Deviating widely from an intended course;
A wild bullet
A wild pitch
Wild
(of colors or sounds) intensely vivid or loud;
A violent clash of colors
Her dress was a violent red
A violent noise
Wild colors
Wild shouts
Wild
Not subjected to control or restraint;
A piano played with a wild exuberance
Wild
Talking or behaving irrationally;
A raving lunatic
Wild
Produced without being planted or without human labor;
Wild strawberries
Wild
Located in a dismal or remote area; desolate;
A desert island
A godforsaken wilderness crossroads
A wild stretch of land
Waste places
Wild
Without civilizing influences;
Barbarian invaders
Barbaric practices
A savage people
Fighting is crude and uncivilized especially if the weapons are efficient
Wild tribes
Wild
(of the elements) as if showing violent anger;
Angry clouds on the horizon
Furious winds
The raging sea
Wild
In an uncontrolled and rampant manner;
Weeds grew rampantly around here
Wild
In a wild or undomesticated manner;
Growing wild
Roaming wild
Common Curiosities
What does "wild" mean when describing nature?
When "wild" is used to describe nature, it refers to natural environments or species that are untamed, undomesticated, and free from human influence.
Who was Oscar Wilde?
Oscar Wilde was a famous Irish playwright, poet, and author known for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and tragic imprisonment. His well-known works include "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Importance of Being Earnest."
What is the literary significance of Oscar Wilde?
Oscar Wilde is significant in literature for his contributions to the Aesthetic movement, his masterful use of wit and irony, and his exploration of moral and societal questions through a distinctive, eloquent style.
How is the name "Wilde" usually pronounced in English?
In English, the surname "Wilde" is typically pronounced to rhyme with "mild" or "child."
Did Oscar Wilde write novels, plays, or poetry?
Oscar Wilde wrote across multiple genres, including novels, plays, and poetry. His versatility is evident in his famous novel "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and his plays like "The Importance of Being Earnest."
Can "wild" be used to describe people?
Yes, "wild" can describe people who exhibit unrestrained, spontaneous, or unconventional behavior, often viewed as free-spirited or rebellious.
Can the word "wild" have positive connotations?
Yes, "wild" can have positive connotations, such as expressing freedom, natural beauty, and a spirited sense of adventure.
What are some common themes in Oscar Wilde's works?
Common themes in Wilde's works include the critique of societal norms, the juxtaposition of truth and beauty, the superficial nature of society, and the complexities of individual identity.
How is "wild" used in everyday language?
"Wild" is used in everyday language to describe something chaotic, uncontrolled, or highly enthusiastic, such as "wild weather," "wild party," or "wild excitement."
How does the concept of "wild" contrast with urban environments?
The concept of "wild" contrasts with urban environments by representing nature's untamed and unstructured states versus cities' organized, man-made structures and regulated living conditions.
What does "Wildean wit" refer to?
"Wildean wit" refers to the clever, often paradoxical humor characteristic of Oscar Wilde's writing, marked by sharp observations and a subtle critique of societal norms.
How has Oscar Wilde influenced modern literature?
Oscar Wilde has influenced modern literature through his distinctive literary style and themes, inspiring writers to explore identity, aesthetics, and the critique of societal norms with wit and eloquence.
What are some ways "wild" is used metaphorically in conversation?
Metaphorically, "wild" can describe extraordinary or unexpected scenarios, such as "wild ideas" or "wild guesses," implying they are far-fetched or highly imaginative.
What role does "wild" play in environmental discussions?
In environmental discussions, "wild" plays a crucial role in talking about conservation efforts, referring to the protection of wild places and species, which are vital for biodiversity and ecological health.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
