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

Explanation

To howl is to make a long, sad, crying sound. You might howl every once in a while, but it's more common to hear wolves and dogs let loose and howl, especially in the presence of a full moon. Terribly sad or fearful people howl, and wolves howl to communicate with each other. Your dog might howl at the sound of a passing fire truck, which also makes a noise with its siren that you can call a howl. Before the 1400s, the word was houlen, a word that probably emerged as an imitation of the way a howl sounds.

Example Sentences

"It is a howl of pain," said one minister, reflecting that so many people in the Labour Party this weekend are hurting.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

"It's okay to jump up and down and howl at the moon," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

There is so much to shout and angst about - or might I say howl at the moon about.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

The howl and whine of the opening few bars of “Chains of Love” conjure images of the ghostly moors, before transforming into a catchy midtempo pop number.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

What she longed to do was howl with grief, long and loud.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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