- present participle of howl.
howling
Americanadjective
-
producing or uttering a howling noise.
a howling mob.
-
desolate, dismal, or dreary.
a howling wilderness.
-
Informal. very great; tremendous.
a howling success.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of howling
1250–1300; Middle English houlinge (gerund); see howl, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What Howrey delivers with “Body Language” is a novel that covers all that ground while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, alternately howling with laughter, holding their breath awaiting resolution, and weeping.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
We know that some of those mothers are still howling for help.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
Unverified images on social media show large plumes of smoke and flames rising into the sky in daytime, with air raid sirens howling in the background.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Desperate, he led his army back across the Delaware River through a howling nor’easter on Christmas night to attack the surprised Hessian garrison at Trenton, N.J.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
There was no temperature change, no wind howling furiously around some time portal.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
