noun, plural wild·cats, (especially collectively) wild·cat for 1–4.
- any of several North American felines of the genus Lynx.Compare lynx.
- a yellowish-gray, black-striped feline, Felis sylvestris, of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, resembling and closely related to the domestic cat, with which it interbreeds freely.
- a closely related feline, Felis sylvestris libyca, of northern Africa, believed to be the ancestor of the domestic cat.
- any of several other of the smaller felines, as the serval or ocelot.
- a domestic cat that has become feral.
- a quick-tempered or savage person.
- Railroads. a single locomotive operating without a train, as one switching cars.
- an exploratory well drilled in an effort to discover deposits of oil or gas; a prospect well.
- a reckless or unsound enterprise, business, etc.
- Informal. wildcatter(def 2).
- Nautical. a shaped drum on a windlass, engaging with the links of an anchor chain.
- Informal. wildcat strike.