in the wild

prepositional phrase4

1. •
   Living and roaming freely in nature; not domesticated.

   • But during its lifetime, a single macaw left in the wild might yield more than 16 times as much in tourist income. — 2008
2. •
   (figurative) At large.

   • A new, deadly type of virus has been detected in the wild. — 2006
3. •
   (figurative) In practical use, as opposed to in a dictionary or wordlist.

   • This word is very rare; it may be difficult to find usages of it in the wild.
4. •
   (figurative) By coincidence in the course of everyday life.

   • I'd seen this stock photo in memes a hundred times, but yesterday I saw it in the wild, illustrating a magazine article.