savage

Everyday

1. Savage means very fierce, violent and cruel, like a savage attack by a wild animal. tree →
2. Savage can mean very severe or harsh, such as savage cuts to spending or savage criticism. tree →
3. To savage someone or something is to attack it fiercely, with teeth or with words. tree →
4. (slang) Savage means boldly harsh, rude in a funny way, or super cool: «That comeback was savage!» tree →
5. (offensive, old) In the past Europeans called other peoples «savages»; this was unfair and racist, and we do not use it about people today. tree →

In the lessons

In stories it describes fierce animals and storms. In history lessons pupils learn that calling Indigenous peoples «savages» was a way of looking down on them. In young people's slang «savage» praises a brutal joke or a bold move. Phrases: «a savage attack», «savage storm», «be savaged by a dog», «that's savage» (slang).

Examples

• The farmer's sheep were savaged by a dog. tree →
• A savage storm destroyed the pier. tree →
• Critics savaged the new film. tree →
• «Your jokes are like your football: weak.» «Oof, savage!» tree →
• Old explorers called local people «savages», which was cruel and wrong. tree →
• The lion gave a savage roar. tree →
• The school faced savage cuts to its budget. tree →
• They were savage fighters and hunters. tree →

Note

Adjective, verb and noun. Calling people «savages» is offensive. Slang «savage» is a compliment among friends but can hurt if used to be mean. Adverb: savagely.