bawling

[ baw-ling ]

adjective

1. crying or wailing lustily:

   On one of our trips we were kept awake most of the night by a bawling kid—and that kid was you!

   The mooing, bawling calf seemed to be an orphan.

2. shouting loudly, especially to be heard outdoors, over other noise, or by a large group:

   He’s doing his basic training under a bawling drill sergeant who screams orders at the recruits.

noun

1. the act of crying, wailing, or shouting:

   After recess I have to put up with the bawling of kids at each other across the classroom, still arguing about playtime disputes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of bawling¹

First recorded in 1570–80; bawl ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; bawl ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Lugging her trophy, the bawling girl wobbled down the ramp into the arms of her beaming family and boyfriend.

From The Daily Beast

“She called me bawling her eyes out,” said Laughlin in a recent interview.

From The Daily Beast

As she spoke, small yelps filled the room: It was Jackson, bawling— howling—into his linen napkin.

From The Daily Beast

It affected Bud unpleasantly, just as the incessant bawling of a band of weaning calves used to do.

From Project Gutenberg

"Chinese labour," yelled a voice, and across the square swept a wildfire of booting and bawling.

From Project Gutenberg

Eight men marched one evening into Llanyglo, bawling a bawdy chorus, with Sam Kerr showing the way.

From Project Gutenberg

Long before we came in sight of the twin tents we heard a deep voice bawling our names.

From Project Gutenberg

Even to his practiced hand the restoration of order was not easy; but by dint of much bawling and pounding he subdued the uproar.

From Project Gutenberg