howl

[ houl ]

/ haʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR howl ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.

to utter a similar cry in distress, pain, rage, etc.; wail.

to make a sound like an animal howling: The wind howls through the trees.

Informal. to go on a spree; enjoy oneself without restraint.

verb (used with object)

to utter with howls: to howl the bad news.

to drive or force by howls (often followed by down): to howl down the opposition.

noun

the cry of a dog, wolf, etc.

a cry or wail, as of pain, rage, or protest.

a sound like wailing: the howl of the wind.

a loud, scornful laugh or yell.

something that causes a laugh or a scornful yell, as a joke or funny or embarrassing situation.

Nearby words

however much, howf, howff, howitzer, howk, howl, howl down, howland island, howler, howlet, howlin' wolf

Origin of howl

1300–50; Middle English hulen, houlen (v.); cognate with Dutch huilen, Low German hülen, German heulen, Danish hyle; akin to Old Norse ȳla

Related formsout·howl, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for howl

That whole subplot seemed to me like a reference to the Ginsberg poem “Howl” and the idea of man rebelling against the status quo.
John Slattery on the ‘Mad Men’ Midseason Finale, Roger Sterling’s Power Move, and ‘God’s Pocket’|Marlow Stern|May 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But really, all this fanfare seems more like a howl for Washington's attention and a ploy for PR.
When Conservatives Cry Wolf|Michael Tomasky|February 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With characters like Allen Ginsberg [in Howl], my love for him started with his work when I was a teenager.
James Franco On ‘Sal,’ Banksy, His Gay Fascination, and That Faulkner Cover|Marlow Stern|November 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Wouldn't even pay attention to the packs of feral Iraqi hounds that yap and howl all through the night when people walk by.
Marine First Lieutenant Nathan Krissoff’s Last Letters Home From Iraq|Matt Pottinger|May 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Conservatives on Twitter howl derisively at these polls as if their purveyors are offering alchemical cures for venereal disease.
Michael Tomasky on the Coming Post-Election GOP Freak Out|Michael Tomasky|November 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Another blow on the sand, a howl, and a furious burst from the monkey, who spat and scolded more fiercely.
Mother Carey's Chicken|George Manville Fenn
The Tigercat, forced to confess himself foiled, uttered a howl like a wild beast.
Stoneheart|Gustave Aimard
The waggoner took no notice of the circumstance at first, until the dog set up a howl and refused to leave the spot.
Tales of the Wonder Club, Volume II|Alexander Huth
The howl of the wolf began to be audible to him; distant, as yet, but still gradually drawing nearer.
The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion, Volume 1|John Charles Dent
The motion of the wind and of the branches excited me, made me tear about as if I were crazy, and howl in imitation of the wolves.
Original Short Stories, Volume 5 (of 13)|Guy de Maupassant

British Dictionary definitions for howl

howl

/ (haʊl) /

noun

a long plaintive cry or wail characteristic of a wolf or hound

a similar cry of pain or sorrow

slang

a person or thing that is very funny
a prolonged outburst of laughter

electronics an unwanted prolonged high-pitched sound produced by a sound-producing system as a result of feedback

verb

to express in a howl or utter such cries

(intr) (of the wind, etc) to make a wailing noise

(intr) informal to shout or laugh

Word Origin for howl

C14: houlen; related to Middle High German hiuweln, Middle Dutch hūlen, Danish hyle

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

Word Origin and History for howl

howl

early 13c., houlen, probably ultimately of imitative origin; similar formations are found in other Germanic languages. Related: Howled; howling. As a noun from 1590s.

howl

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of howl

Examples from the Web for howl

British Dictionary definitions for howl

howl

noun

verb

Word Origin for howl

Word Origin and History for howl

howl