enfant sauvage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency / SpecializedFormal / Literary / Academic
Quick answer
What does “enfant sauvage” mean?
A child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, often without social skills or language.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, often without social skills or language.
An individual who appears uncultured, wild, or unsocialized; used metaphorically to describe someone who behaves in an untamed or uncivilized manner, especially in social contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is consistent in both varieties as a borrowed French term. American English may occasionally use 'wild child' more in metaphorical contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it evokes historical/psychological case studies. In British English, it may have slightly stronger literary/historical associations.
Frequency
Equally rare in both; appears in academic, literary, or historical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “enfant sauvage” in a Sentence
The + enfant sauvage + verbbe + an + enfant sauvagelike + an + enfant sauvageVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “enfant sauvage” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His enfant sauvage upbringing was evident.
- She had an almost enfant sauvage quality.
American English
- The enfant sauvage behavior fascinated researchers.
- His style was described as enfant sauvage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and history to discuss cases of extreme social isolation.
Everyday
Rare; may be used metaphorically to describe someone behaving wildly.
Technical
Specific term in developmental psychology for children lacking human socialization.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “enfant sauvage”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “enfant sauvage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “enfant sauvage”
- Misspelling as 'enfant salvage' or 'enfant savage'.
- Using it to mean merely a rebellious teenager.
- Incorrect plural: 'enfants sauvages' (French plural retained in English).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a French term used in English, primarily in academic and historical contexts.
No, it is too strong and specific. Use 'wild child' informally instead.
Approximately 'on-fon so-vahzh' with a nasal 'on' sound.
Often, but it can be used metaphorically in literature or description.
A child who has lived isolated from human contact from a very young age, often without social skills or language.
Enfant sauvage is usually formal / literary / academic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He was raised like an enfant sauvage, with no manners.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
ENFANT sounds like 'infant' + SAUVAGE sounds like 'savage' = a savage infant, or wild child.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN IS ANIMAL (when uncivilized), ISOLATION IS WILDNESS
Practice
Quiz
What does 'enfant sauvage' literally mean?