werewolf
Other forms: werewolves
In European folklore, a werewolf is a man who turns into a dangerous animal at night. According to legend, the transformation of a werewolf is triggered by a full moon.
Stories of werewolves have existed for thousands of years, but belief in werewolves became widespread in Europe during the Middle Ages. Today, these creatures are popular monsters that appear in books, movies, television, video games, and more. The were in werewolf comes from the Old English word wer, meaning "man."
Definitions of werewolf
-
a monster able to change appearance from human to wolf and back againsynonyms: loup-garou, lycanthrope, wolfman
Pronunciation
US
UK
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘werewolf'.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
Send us feedback
Word Family
Vocabulary lists containing werewolf
A Mythical Menagerie
What a party this list is — some might say "A Monster Mash!" Enjoy the guest list as you learn about these fantastic beasts.