howl
[houl]
- 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.
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- to utter with howls: to howl the bad news.
- to drive or force by howls (often followed by down): to howl down the opposition.
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- 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.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
moan, growl, groan, yelp, wail, roar, whimper, hoot, outcry, shriek, bellow, clamor, lament, whine, bawl, bay, keen, shout, quest, barkExamples from the Web for howl
Contemporary Examples
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.
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 CoverMarlow 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.
Conservatives on Twitter howl derisively at these polls as if their purveyors are offering alchemical cures for venereal disease.
Historical Examples
So he let them howl as much as they liked, but never troubled his head about them.
Tanglewood TalesNathaniel Hawthorne
Peter slammed its door to, crushing them so that he loosed his grip, with a howl.
Fair MargaretH. Rider Haggard
Without Biddy, I should wish but to howl at the sunset, as a dog bays the moon.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
"You must be a howl," commented the captain, making for the seductive locker.
The Black BagLouis Joseph Vance
It was enough to make any one howl with horror, for it was all so hideous.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
howl
- 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
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- 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
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for howl
v.
early 13c., houlen, probably ultimately of imitative origin; similar formations are found in other Germanic languages. Related: Howled; howling. As a noun from 1590s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper