What does wildmen mean?
Wildmen is the plural of wildman and most commonly denotes the human-like beings of folklore who were believed to live in forests and remote places beyond human communities. Medieval and early modern accounts often portrayed them as hairy, shy, and closer to nature than civilized people, although different traditions gave them different appearances and habits. The expression can also be used figuratively for men who lead unusually free, rugged, or unconventional lives, such as adventurous mountaineers. In that sense, it often conveys admiration for independence and daring, but it can sound dated, exaggerated, or dismissive when applied to people regarded as disorderly or uncivilized. Although wild men may be written as two words, wildmen is the established plural form and is especially common when referring collectively to the legendary creatures. Its historical associations make it more evocative than the neutral terms feral people or forest-dwellers.
noun (plural)The plural of wildman, referring to human-like creatures believed in folklore to live wild in forests or other uncivilized places. It can also refer figuratively to men who live an unconventional, unruly, or independent life.
- Human-like creatures believed in folklore or early travel accounts to live wild in forests and remote places.
- People who live outside conventional society or pursue an exceptionally rugged, independent way of life.
- Figuratively, unruly, rebellious, or unconventional men.
"Medieval travelers told stories of wildmen living beyond the edges of the civilized world."
"The old forest tale portrays the wildmen as shy, hairy creatures who avoid human settlements."
"The climbing club's history describes its founders as a group of wildmen who rejected conventional routes and safeguards."
Wildmen is the standard plural of wildman and may be written as one word or two.
"The stories depict groups of wildmen retreating deeper into the forest whenever travelers approached."
In medieval folklore, wildmen were hairy human-like figures who lived beyond ordinary society.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of wildmen
Wildmen combines Middle English wild, from Old English wilde, meaning untamed, uncultivated, or belonging to nature, with man, from Old English man, meaning an adult male or human being. The compound developed during the Middle English period and became closely associated with traditions about hairy human-like creatures living in forests. Later figurative uses extended the word to people portrayed as independent, uncivilized, or resistant to ordinary social conventions.
How wildmen is actually used
The folklore sense is literary, historical, and somewhat theatrical in modern usage. Figurative uses may sound informal, colorful, or mildly admiring, depending on whether the people described are independent and adventurous or merely unruly.
Easily confused with wildmen
Wildman is the usual singular form, whereas wildmen is its standard plural, also written as two words.