What is the difference between 'Tame' and 'Wild'? - Learn English words with Mr Duncan

Here I am surrounded by nature in the beautiful county of Shropshire in England.

There are many forests and wide open areas of stunning scenery around here for everyone to enjoy.

In this area, we often use the term ‘wild’ to describe all the things that exist here.

The wild plants and flowers, the wild untouched areas of outstanding natural beauty and of course, the wildlife.

The animals that exist here in the wild are normally referred to as ‘wildlife’.

We often use the word wild to express something that exists freely without being disturbed or damaged by humans.

The wild is generally seen as untouched and natural.

A wild animal is often seen as being independent and far removed from human interaction.

From the smallest insect right up to the largest mammal, such as a giraffe or elephant.

Many different types of animals live and thrive in the wild.

Some might say, just as nature intended.

The word ‘wild’ can be used in many different ways.

A creature existing undisturbed in nature is wild.

A person who loses control of their emotions and becomes overexcited might also be described as being wild.

An event or action might be described as being wild, if it goes out of control.

An exciting party might be described as wild, If lots of things were going on.

An exciting, vibrant moment might be described as being wild.

“We had a wild time last night at the office party.”

Something untidy or unkempt might be described as being wild.

“Her hair flowed wild and free in the breeze.”

We might describe the weather as wild if the conditions are extreme.

“It was a wild night with all that thunder and lightning keeping me awake.”

A person might go wild if they become angry over something.

To lose control of one's emotions is to go wild.

Then we have the opposite of wild, which is ‘tame’.

Something tame is seen as gentle or safe to be near.

An animal might be described as tame if it has been raised amongst humans.

A tame animal might be a lion or tiger,

that has been raised with regular human contact.

It is tame.

It is not wild.

Something is tame or you can tame something as an action.

So the word tame can be used as both an adjective and a verb.

A wild animal will not be tame.

It will not be friendly towards people.

Wild animals use their natural instincts to survive.

A tame animal will often have fewer instincts to survive, which means they will often rely more on humans to take care of them.

Such as with a domesticated pet. For example, a cat or dog.

They are often referred to as ‘domesticated’ and generally tame.

A boring, dull event or activity might be described as tame If nothing exciting happens during it.

“The horror movie was not very scary, I found it tame.”

A thing that seems exciting, but in reality is not might be described as ‘tame’

So to summarize, wild is the natural state of something.

An exciting or dramatic thing.

A creature that has no contact with humans.

Tame is gentle and safe.

An animal that is able to be near humans safely is tame.

Something unexciting or boring might be described as tame.

To teach an animal to become comfortable amongst humans is ‘tame’.