Wildness vs. Wilderness — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 15, 2024
Wildness embodies untamed nature and freedom, whereas wilderness is vast, undeveloped land with natural characteristics.
Difference Between Wildness and Wilderness
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wildness reflects the intrinsic, untamed nature of beings and places, emphasizing freedom from human influence. It can manifest in animals, landscapes, or the human spirit, denoting a state of being uncontrolled by civilization. Wilderness, on the other hand, specifically refers to extensive, undeveloped areas of land. These regions are often designated for conservation purposes, highlighting their lack of human modification and the presence of natural processes.
While wildness can be observed in various contexts, including behavior and environments, wilderness is a more defined concept, often legally recognized and protected. Wilderness areas serve as habitats for wildlife, offering them a refuge from human activity. In contrast, wildness can be experienced anywhere nature's influence remains dominant over human intervention.
Wildness is a quality that can be attributed to entities both within and beyond wilderness areas, implying a broader and more philosophical interpretation. Wilderness areas, however, are tangible representations of the earth's natural state, marked by their geographical boundaries and legal status.
The perception of wildness is subjective and can vary widely among individuals, depending on their experiences and cultural backgrounds. Wilderness, while also subject to varying interpretations, has more concrete criteria, including size, naturalness, and legal protection status.
In terms of conservation, wildness can inspire efforts to preserve natural landscapes and species, driven by the desire to maintain the earth's untamed beauty. Wilderness conservation is more structured, involving specific strategies to manage and protect designated areas from development and degradation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The quality of being untamed and free.
Large, undeveloped land areas.
Context
Can be found in behavior and environments
Designated natural areas
Conservation Focus
Broad, philosophical
Specific, geographical
Human Influence
Minimal to none
Legally protected from development
Perception
Subjective, varies among individuals
Defined by size, naturalness, protection
Compare with Definitions
Wildness
Wildness describes an animal's natural, uninhibited state.
The wildness in the wolf's eyes reflected its untamed spirit.
Wilderness
Wilderness refers to extensive, undisturbed natural areas.
The national park was designated as wilderness to preserve its pristine condition.
Wildness
Wildness can be used metaphorically to describe intense emotions or situations.
The wildness of the storm mirrored her tumultuous feelings.
Wilderness
Wilderness is valued for conservation and recreation.
Wilderness areas offer unparalleled opportunities for experiencing nature.
Wildness
It can refer to landscapes untouched by human development.
The wildness of the mountainous region attracted adventurers.
Wilderness
Wilderness provides habitat for numerous wildlife species.
The wilderness is home to species not found in urban areas.
Wildness
Wildness also symbolizes a free and untamed human spirit.
His love for solo travel spoke of the wildness within him.
Wilderness
It represents areas without significant human structures.
He ventured into the wilderness for a true escape from civilization.
Wildness
The concept encompasses behaviors showing lack of restraint or domestication.
The horse's wildness made it difficult to train.
Wilderness
It's often legally protected to maintain its natural state.
Wilderness areas require special permissions for any human activity.
Wildness
Wildness, in its literal sense, is the quality of being wild or untamed. Beyond this, it has been defined as a quality produced in nature, as that which emerges from a forest, and as a level of achievement in nature.
Wilderness
Wilderness or wildlands (usually in the plural), are natural environments on Earth that have not been significantly modified by human activity or any nonurbanized land not under extensive agricultural cultivation. The term has traditionally referred to terrestrial environments, though growing attention is being placed on marine wilderness.
Wildness
Occurring, growing, or living in a natural state; not domesticated, cultivated, or tamed
Wild geese.
Edible wild plants.
Wilderness
A large tract of land that has not been significantly affected by human activities.
Wildness
Not inhabited or farmed
Remote, wild country.
Wilderness
A tract of land officially protected from development and other high-impact human activities.
Wildness
Uncivilized or barbarous.
Wilderness
A barren or desolate area; a wasteland.
Wildness
Lacking supervision or restraint
Wild children living in the street.
Wilderness
Something characterized by bewildering vastness, perilousness, or unchecked profusion
A wilderness of unknown city streets.
A wilderness of voices.
Wildness
Disorderly; unruly
A wild scene in the school cafeteria.
Wilderness
A state of neglect, powerlessness, or disfavor
"The failure of the Clinton health plan in 1994 opened the door to the Republicans' capture of Congress after forty years in the wilderness" (Jacob S. Hacker).
Wildness
Characterized by a lack of moral restraint; dissolute or licentious
Recalled his wild youth with remorse.
Wilderness
(uncountable) Uncultivated and unsettled land in its natural state inhabited by wild animals and with vegetation growing wild; (countable) a tract of such land; a waste or wild.
Wildness
Lacking regular order or arrangement; disarranged
Wild locks of long hair.
Wilderness
(by extension)
Wildness
Full of, marked by, or suggestive of strong, uncontrolled emotion
Wild with jealousy.
A wild look in his eye.
A wild rage.
Wilderness
(countable) A place other than land (for example, the air or sea) that is uncared for, and therefore devoted to disorder or wildness.
Wildness
Extravagant; fantastic
A wild idea.
Wilderness
An ornamental part of a garden or park cultivated with trees and often a maze to evoke a natural wilderness.
Wildness
Furiously disturbed or turbulent; stormy
Wild weather.
Wilderness
Unrefinedness; wildness.
Wildness
Risky; imprudent
Wild financial schemes.
Wilderness
Chiefly followed by of: a bewildering flock or throng; a large, often jumbled, collection of things.
Wildness
Impatiently eager
Wild to get away for the weekend.
Wilderness
A place or situation that is bewildering and in which one may get lost.
Wildness
(Informal) Highly enthusiastic
Just wild about the new music.
Wilderness
Often preceded by in the: a situation of disfavour or lack of recognition; of a politician, political party, etc.: a situation of being out of office.
Wildness
Based on little or no evidence or probability; unfounded
Wild accusations.
A wild guess.
Wilderness
A tract of land, or a region, uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings, whether a forest or a wide, barren plain; a wild; a waste; a desert; a pathless waste of any kind.
The wat'ry wilderness yields no supply.
Wildness
Deviating greatly from an intended course; erratic
A wild bullet.
Wilderness
A disorderly or neglected place.
Wildness
(Games) Having an equivalence or value determined by the cardholder's choice
Playing poker with deuces wild.
Wilderness
Quality or state of being wild; wildness.
These paths and bowers doubt not but our joint hands.Will keep from wilderness with ease.
Wildness
In a wild manner
Growing wild.
Roaming wild.
Wilderness
A wild and uninhabited area
Wildness
A natural or undomesticated state
Returned the zoo animals to the wild.
Plants that grow abundantly in the wild.
Wildness
Often wilds A region that is mostly uninhabited or uncultivated
The wilds of the northern steppes.
Wildness
To go about in a group threatening, robbing, or attacking others.
Wildness
The quality of being wild or untamed
Wildness
The quality or state of being wild; an uncultivated or untamed state; disposition to rove or go unrestrained; rudeness; savageness; irregularity; distraction.
Wildness
A feeling of extreme emotional intensity;
The wildness of his anger
Wildness
The property of being wild or turbulent;
The storm's violence
Wildness
A state of nature
Common Curiosities
What makes wilderness important for conservation?
Wilderness areas are crucial for conserving biodiversity, natural processes, and providing habitats for wildlife.
Is wilderness always free from human impact?
While wilderness areas are meant to be minimally impacted, indirect human influences like climate change can affect them.
How is wilderness defined?
Wilderness is defined as large, undeveloped, and uninhabited areas of land, often protected by law.
What defines wildness?
Wildness is the quality of being untamed, natural, and free from human control.
Can wildness exist outside of wilderness areas?
Yes, wildness can exist in various contexts, including urban settings, as a quality of living beings or landscapes.
How do perceptions of wildness vary?
Perceptions of wildness can vary based on individual experiences, culture, and personal values.
How do wildness and wilderness contribute to human well-being?
They provide psychological benefits, recreational opportunities, and help in maintaining environmental balance.
Can wildness be restored in degraded areas?
Efforts like rewilding aim to restore wildness by reintroducing species and allowing natural processes to resume.
What role does legal protection play in maintaining wilderness?
Legal protection helps preserve wilderness by restricting development, exploitation, and maintaining natural conditions.
How does wildness influence art and literature?
Wildness often inspires themes of freedom, nature's power, and the human relationship with the natural world.
Can urban areas contain elements of wildness?
Yes, urban wildness can be found in parks, undeveloped land, and in the resilience of nature in cities.
How do wildness and wilderness affect global biodiversity?
They are essential for sustaining biodiversity by providing diverse habitats for a wide range of species.
Are all wild animals found in wilderness areas?
Not necessarily; wild animals can be found in various habitats, including those outside designated wilderness areas.
What challenges do wilderness areas face?
Threats include pollution, climate change, invasive species, and unauthorized human activities.
What is the role of education in wilderness conservation?
Education raises awareness about the importance of preserving wilderness and the principles of responsible outdoor behavior.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
