A wolf is a large wild dog that hunts in groups called packs. Wolves look somewhat like German Shepherds but are bigger, with longer legs, larger paws, and bushier tails. They have thick fur that keeps them warm in cold climates, and their powerful jaws can crack bones.

Wolves are famous for their teamwork. A pack of wolves works together to hunt animals much larger than themselves, like elk or moose. They communicate through howls that can travel for miles, coordinating hunts and warning other packs to stay away from their territory. Each pack has a social structure, with experienced adults leading and younger wolves learning by watching.

For thousands of years, wolves lived throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. People have always had complicated feelings about wolves: they appear in countless stories and legends, sometimes as villains and sometimes as symbols of wilderness and freedom. Many Native American cultures viewed wolves with respect, seeing them as skilled hunters and devoted family members.

The phrase a wolf in sheep's clothing describes someone who pretends to be harmless but has dangerous intentions. If someone wolfs down their food, they eat it extremely quickly, the way a hungry wolf might devour its meal.

As a verb, to wolf means to eat something very quickly.