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 howled

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 howled

Contemporary Examples of howled

The Scythians doing this howled with joy, according to the Father of History.
This Is Your E-Cigarette on Drugs
Daniel Genis
July 28, 2014
If Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker were mayor of Chicago, labor and allies would have howled him down.
Did Rahm Blink?
Justin Green
September 19, 2012
The president had howled with laughter and sent Buckey, his personal aide, out to find her missing shoe.
Meet the First Female President
Nicolle Wallace
October 17, 2010
But whether they were good or not, he howled when he told them.
CBS' Bob Simon Remembers Don Hewitt
Bob Simon
August 19, 2009

Historical Examples of howled

Hippy said he pounded and shouted and howled and wailed and pounded some more.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
Then we howled the top of the roof off, and I for one fell in love with Carlin on the spot.
American Notes
Rudyard Kipling
"For the last time I give you the opportunity," the Mercutian howled—in English.
Slaves of Mercury
Nat Schachner
"You shall pay for this," howled the Mercutian, finding voice again.
Slaves of Mercury
Nat Schachner
One of the Indians then stationed himself as a decoy, and howled like a wolf.
King Philip
John S. C. (John Stevens Cabot) Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for howled

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 howled

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.