Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

dire wolf

/ˈdaɪ.ɚ wʊlf/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.58 in modern English

Syllables: di-re -wolf
IPA: /ˈdaɪ.ɚ wʊlf/

15

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An extinct canine (†Aenocyon dirus) from the Pleistocene epoch, heavier and slightly larger than the modern grey wolf.

noun

Synonym of warg (“type of wolf”).

Example Sentences

"Colossal scientists have created three dire wolf pups by using ancient DNA, cloning and gene-editing technology to alter the genes of a gray wolf, the prehistoric dire wolf’s closest living relative, the company announced Monday. […] The three dire wolves are living on a 2,000-acre site at an undisclosed location enclosed by 10-foot-tall (3-meter-tall) “zoo-grade” fencing, where they are monitored by security personnel, drones and live camera feeds."

Etymology

Calque from taxonomic name †Canis dirus.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈdaɪ.ɚ wʊlf/
British English: /ˈdaɪə wʊlf/

Inflected Forms

dire wolves (plural) direwolf (alternative)

Synonyms

warg

Questions

How do you pronounce dire wolf?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈdaɪ.ɚ wʊlf/.
What does dire wolf mean?: An extinct canine (†Aenocyon dirus) from the Pleistocene epoch, heavier and slightly larger than the modern grey wolf.
Where does dire wolf come from?: Calque from taxonomic name †Canis dirus.

How to pronounce dire wolf

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