wolflike

Wolflike is an adjective describing resemblance to a wolf in appearance, behavior, or other characteristics. The term can apply to animals, objects, and even metaphorical descriptions in art and literature.

Origin and usage: The word is formed from the noun wolf and the suffix -like, indicating similarity. In English, wolflike is commonly paired with related terms such as wolfish or lupine; wolflike tends to emphasize external resemblance rather than a stable taxonomic or behavioral category.

Biology and zoology usage: In zoological descriptions, wolflike may describe a wild canid or a domesticated dog that resembles a wolf in size, coat pattern, ear shape, muzzle length, or gait. It does not imply that the animal is genetically a wolf; precise taxonomy—species and subspecies—remains necessary.

Culture and media: In fiction and media, wolflike characters or creatures are described as having wolf-like features or behavior; they may be used to evoke the traits of wolves, such as pack behavior, acute senses, or predatory tendencies.

See also: wolf, lupine, wolfish.