wail

[ weyl ]
See synonyms for wail on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to utter a prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry, usually high-pitched or clear-sounding, as in grief or suffering: to wail with pain.

  2. to make mournful sounds, as music or the wind.

  1. to lament or mourn bitterly.

  2. Jazz. to perform exceptionally well.

  3. Slang. to express emotion musically or verbally in an exciting, satisfying way.

verb (used with object)
  1. to express deep sorrow for; mourn; lament; bewail: to wail the dead;to wail one's fate.

  2. to express in wailing; cry or say in lamentation: to wail one's grief.

noun
  1. the act of wailing.

  2. a wailing cry, as of grief, pain, or despair.

  1. any similar mournful sound: the wail of an old tune.

Origin of wail

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English weile (verb and noun), perhaps derivative of Old English weilāwei wellaway; compare Old English wǣlan “to torment,” Old Norse wǣla “to wail”

Other words from wail

  • wail·er, noun
  • un·wailed, adjective

Words that may be confused with wail

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use wail in a sentence

  • The tumult increased; shouted thankgivings, and wails of despair; singing and praying and exhorting, clashing in wild confusion.

    Alone | Marion Harland
  • The wounded filled the air with pitiful wails, vainly imploring help.

  • Among these, are wails for the dead, and love songs of a simple and plaintive character.

    The Indian in his Wigwam | Henry R. Schoolcraft

British Dictionary definitions for wail

wail

/ (weɪl) /


verb
  1. (intr) to utter a prolonged high-pitched cry, as of grief or misery

  2. (intr) to make a sound resembling such a cry: the wind wailed in the trees

  1. (tr) to lament, esp with mournful sounds

noun
  1. a prolonged high-pitched mournful cry or sound

Origin of wail

1
C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse vǣla to wail, Old English woe

Derived forms of wail

  • wailer, noun
  • wailful, adjective
  • wailfully, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012