werewolf
noun
ˈwir-
ˈwər-
ˈwir-
Did you know?
Although English sometimes makes use of other words for howling humanoid beasties, werewolf is the leader of the pack. It’s also an ancient word, tracing all the way back to the Old English werwulf, and before that to a prehistoric predecessor that also left its paw prints on German (Werwolf) and Dutch (weerwolf). Synonyms for werewolf in English include the obscure lycanthrope, which has roots in two Greek words (lykos, meaning "wolf," and anthrōpos, meaning "human being"), and loup-garou, which comes from Old French. Whichever you use, the lycanthropic creatures these words refer to most often assume wolf form during a full moon—at least in works of fiction. There are no credible studies to date on the behavior of real-life werewolves, as scientists have yet to find the silver bullet that proves they exist.
Examples of werewolf in a Sentence
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
In a Season 3 episode of BBC drama Being Human, Green played a werewolf who faced off against Watkins, a vampire.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025
The last world of Epic Universe is themed to Monsters like Frankenstein, werewolves, vampires, and more.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2025
Whannell has jettisoned most of the standard werewolf mythology.
—Scott Phillips, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for werewolf
Cite this Entry
“Werewolf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/werewolf. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
werewolf
noun
ˈwe(ə)r-
ˈwər-
Old English werwulf "werewolf," from wer "man" and wulf "wolf"
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