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

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

It’s easier to howl at a classic like “Dr. Strangelove,” which mocked the leaders giddyuping the planet’s destruction, than at a present-day satire where we ourselves are the joke.

From Los Angeles Times

The Dragon howled with rage and spat a wall of flame that singed Rowan's hair and eyebrows.

From Literature

Llewelyn howled into the night once before the shadows silenced him, too.

From Literature

And my body howled out loud, with my face raised to the sky, the fiercest, scariest yell I didn’t even know I had in me.

From Literature

Related Words

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