Definition of "savage" in 英语

adjective

1. Wild; not cultivated or tamed.

   • a savage wilderness
   • a savage forest

2. Barbaric; not civilized.

   • savage manners

3. Primitive; lacking complexity or sophistication.

4. Fierce and ferocious.

   • savage beasts
   • a savage spirit

5. Brutal, vicious, or merciless.

   • He gave the dog a savage kick.
   • The woman was killed in a savage manner.

6. (slang) Of an insult or person: disrespectful, audacious, and either blunt or sarcastic, in a hilarious way.

   • Wow, that was a savage burn. Absolutely no chill.

7. (UK, slang) Unpleasant or unfair.

   • – I'll see you in detention. – Ah, savage!

8. (Ireland, US, slang) Great, brilliant, amazing.

9. (US, slang) Severe, rude, aggressive.

   • – They were so savage to them!

noun

1. (historical, now derogatory) A person not living in a civilization; a barbarian.

2. (figuratively) An aggressively defiant person.

   • Their kids are little savages! One of them bit me the other day.

3. (slang) Someone who speaks in an audacious, hilarious, and often sarcastic manner.

4. (obsolete) A wild and ferocious beast.

verb

1. To attack or assault someone or something ferociously or without restraint.

   • No matter how anyone might savage me, I should stay strong.

2. (figuratively) To criticise vehemently.

   • His latest film was savaged by most reviewers.

3. (of an animal) To attack with the teeth.

4. (obsolete, transitive) To make savage.