View synonyms for ululate

ululate

[ uhl-yuh-leyt, yool- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, ul·u·lat·ed, ul·u·lat·ing.

to howl, as a coyote or wolf, or to hoot, as an owl.
to utter a loud, long, high-pitched, trilling sound that resembles a howl, especially to express grief or joy:
the Middle Eastern custom of ululating at weddings and funerals.
to lament loudly and shrilly.

ululate

/ ˈjuːljʊˌleɪt /

verb

intr to howl or wail, as with grief

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Derived Forms

ˈululant, adjective
ˌuluˈlation, noun

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Other Words From

ul·u·la·tion [uhl-y, uh, -, ley, -sh, uh, n, yool-], noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ululate¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ululātus, past participle of ululāre “to howl, shriek,” of imitative origin; akin to Greek hylân, ololýzein “to howl, wail,” Sanskrit ululí- “howling”; -ate ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ululate¹

C17: from Latin ululāre to howl, from ulula screech owl

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April 17, 2024axolotl

[ak-suh-lot-l ]

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ululant ululation

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