- present participle of howl.
howling
Americanadjective
-
producing or uttering a howling noise.
a howling mob.
-
desolate, dismal, or dreary.
a howling wilderness.
-
Informal. very great; tremendous.
a howling success.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of howling
1250–1300; Middle English houlinge (gerund); see howl, -ing 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Call off the swarms of lawyers and PR handlers, the howling about railroading and witch hunts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
What Howrey delivers with “Body Language” is a novel that covers all that ground while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, alternately howling with laughter, holding their breath awaiting resolution, and weeping.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
We know that some of those mothers are still howling for help.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
A star-struck public was howling for his inclusion, blind to the weekly evidence that he was nowhere near the player he used to be.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
In fact, most of the audience seemed to think the sudden appearance onstage of three howling children was part of the show.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
