howling

[ hou-ling ]

/ ˈhaʊ lɪŋ /

See 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.

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We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

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Origin of howling

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

OTHER WORDS FROM howling

howl·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby howling

howl, Howland Island, howl down, howler, howlet, howling, howling success, Howlin' Wolf, howlround, how many angels can stand (dance) on the head of a pin?, Howrah

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences 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

howling

/ (ˈhaʊlɪŋ) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of howling

howlingly, adverb

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

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howling

adjective

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Origin of howling

OTHER WORDS FROM howling

Words nearby howling

Example sentences from the Web for howling

British Dictionary definitions for howling

adjective

Derived forms of howling

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

howling

adjective

QUIZZES

DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!

Origin of howling

OTHER WORDS FROM howling

Words nearby howling

Words related to howling

Example sentences from the Web for howling

British Dictionary definitions for howling

adjective

Derived forms of howling