howling

[ hou-ling ]

/ ˈhaʊ lɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR howling ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

producing or uttering a howling noise: a howling mob.

desolate, dismal, or dreary: a howling wilderness.

Informal. very great; tremendous: a howling success.

Nearby words

howl down, howland island, howler, howlet, howlin' wolf, howling, howling success, howlround, howrah, howship's lacuna, howsoever

Origin of howling

1250–1300; Middle English houlinge (gerund); see howl, -ing²

Related forms

howl·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for howling (2 of 2)

howl

[ houl ]

/ haʊl /

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 forms

out·howl, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for howling

I had expected Alaska to be miserably cold, with howling winds and fierce storms.
Visiting the Arctic Circle…Before It’s Irreversibly Changed|Terry Greene Sterling|April 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conservative groups spent Tuesday howling at Boehner's betrayal.
House Passes Clean Debt Ceiling Extension With Limited GOP Support|Ben Jacobs|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, a number of writers are howling about it and it clearly serves as an obstacle in the current era of voting.
The Baseball Hall of Fame is a Mess|Ben Jacobs|January 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, she gets on the hood of his Ferrari, hikes up her skirt, and… grinds on it to completion, howling with ecstasy.
The 10 Best Movie Sex Scenes of 2013: ‘Blue Is the Warmest Color,’ ‘Spring Breakers,’ and More|Marlow Stern|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST

How many more masseuses will be left out in the howling wind?
New iPhone a Problem for People Who Lack Fingerprints|Winston Ross|September 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In our village, we were as happy as a buffalo on the plains; but now we are more like the hungry and howling wolf in the prairie.
History, Manners, and Customs of the North American Indians|George Mogridge
The rugged merchants laughed, for the venture had been a howling success.
Famous Privateersmen and Adventurers of the Sea|Charles H. L. Johnston
He heard faintly the howling of the dogs, and had a fleeting thought that in the mastering of his flesh the frost no longer bit.
The Turtles of Tasman|Jack London
"They yell like so many devils," said John Kilburn; but he was not in the least disturbed by the howling.
Harper's Young People, September 14, 1880|Various
From far away it seemed to come through the world of wet mist and howling wind.
Weighed and Wanting|George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for howling (1 of 2)

howling

/ (ˈhaʊlɪŋ) /

adjective

(prenominal) informal (intensifier)a howling success; a howling error

Derived Forms

howlingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for howling (2 of 2)

howl

/ (haʊl) /

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