howl

[houl]

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.

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

Related Words for howl

moan, growl, groan, yelp, wail, roar, whimper, hoot, outcry, shriek, bellow, clamor, lament, whine, bawl, bay, keen, shout, quest, bark

Examples from the Web for howl

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of howl

So he let them howl as much as they liked, but never troubled his head about them.
Tanglewood Tales
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Peter slammed its door to, crushing them so that he loosed his grip, with a howl.
Fair Margaret
H. Rider Haggard
Without Biddy, I should wish but to howl at the sunset, as a dog bays the moon.
It Happened in Egypt
C. N. Williamson
"You must be a howl," commented the captain, making for the seductive locker.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
It was enough to make any one howl with horror, for it was all so hideous.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt

British Dictionary definitions for howl

howl

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

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