howl

[ houl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.
2. to utter a similar cry in distress, pain, rage, etc.; wail.
3. to make a sound like an animal howling:

   The wind howls through the trees.

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

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with howls:

   to howl the bad news.

2. to drive or force by howls (often followed by down ):

   to howl down the opposition.

noun

1. the cry of a dog, wolf, etc.
2. a cry or wail, as of pain, rage, or protest.
3. a sound like wailing:

   the howl of the wind.

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

howl

/ haʊl /

noun

1. a long plaintive cry or wail characteristic of a wolf or hound
2. a similar cry of pain or sorrow
3. slang.
   1. a person or thing that is very funny
   2. a prolonged outburst of laughter
4. electronics an unwanted prolonged high-pitched sound produced by a sound-producing system as a result of feedback

verb

1. to express in a howl or utter such cries
2. intr (of the wind, etc) to make a wailing noise
3. informal.
   intr to shout or laugh

Other Words From

• outhowl verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of howl¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of howl¹

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

Example Sentences

Details like the howl of individual crowd members and the scratchiness of the microphone made me feel like I was in the bar where the show had been recorded.

From Popular-Science

In France, President Emmanuel Macron has instituted a new set of measures placing restrictions on the unvaccinated which produced howls of protest… and a surge in vaccinations.

From The Daily Beast

After months of keeping quiet and still, we have a lot of pent-up energy and suppressed howls to unleash.

From Washington Post

Frances McDormand let out an epic howl because, well, Frances McDormand has earned the right to do whatever she wants.

From Time

If that happens, it will come over the howls of opponents who have consistently warned of the horrible ramifications of women serving in combat — even as some of these predictions have proved false over the past 40 years.

From Washington Post

The blast was a stupefying white flash followed by a body-shaking howl, and it was the cue for a maelstrom of metallic shrieks.

From The Daily Beast

And they saw him in his 60s, still making an audience howl with the “Dentist” number.

From The Daily Beast

That whole subplot seemed to me like a reference to the Ginsberg poem “Howl” and the idea of man rebelling against the status quo.

From The Daily Beast

The noise is so loud it nearly drowns out a horrified howl from Grace.

From The Daily Beast

She crinkles her brow and then, on cue, she emits a keening howl.

From The Daily Beast

That was not the exact word that he used, but he expressed it by beating his tail against the table and giving a long howl.

From Project Gutenberg

For this shall the well appointed men of Moab howl, his soul shall howl to itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Therefore shall Moab howl to Moab, every one shall howl: to them that rejoice upon the brick walls, tell ye their stripes.

From Project Gutenberg

Then a moan, then a howl and a shriek arose which reached from group to group, from house to house, from square to forest.

From Project Gutenberg

Again that wild unearthly sound rustled among the bushes, and the dog broke out into a long dismal howl.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• groan
• growl
• hoot
• moan
• outcry
• roar
• shriek
• wail
• whimper
• yelp