howl

American  

[houl] / haʊl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter with howls.

   to howl the bad news.

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

   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 British  

/ 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

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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 Word Forms

• outhowl verb (used with object)

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Thirty-six wickets in six sessions, a first England win in Australia for 15 years, howls of derision and a £5m cost to Cricket Australia.

From BBC

A screeching howl goes off inside the water park.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were howls to the heavens when he was dismissed in both Brisbane and Adelaide.

From BBC

As the Cosmic Weatherman, John Mburu ably demonstrated how smoothly baroque arias for bass—regardless of their original subjects—can be repurposed as howls of despair about a modern apocalypse.

From The Wall Street Journal

As she left after the event, Prof Sullivan said she heard "howls of 'shame on you, shame on you'".

From BBC

Related Words

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