Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for howling on Thesaurus.com producing or uttering a howling noise: a howling mob. desolate, dismal, or dreary: a howling wilderness. Informal very great; tremendous: a howling success. Show More
Origin of howling 1250–1300; Middle English houlinge (gerund); see
howl ,
-ing2 Related forms howl·ing·ly , adverb 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. Show More
to utter with howls: to howl the bad news. to drive or force by howls (often followed by down ): to howl down the opposition. Show More
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. Show More
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. 2018
Related Words for howling 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 howling Contemporary Examples of howling I had expected Alaska to be miserably cold, with howling winds and fierce storms.
Conservative groups spent Tuesday howling at Boehner's betrayal.
After all, a number of writers are howling about it and it clearly serves as an obstacle in the current era of voting.
Then, she gets on the hood of his Ferrari, hikes up her skirt, and… grinds on it to completion, howling with ecstasy.
How many more masseuses will be left out in the howling wind?
Historical Examples of howling Now the wind came like a wolf down the Murchison Pass, howling and moaning.
I was prodding for my food into a camp-kettle when they were howling for their pap.
It was simply a concert of howling monkeys that had so terrified me!
In an instant the little room was filled with howling , fighting men.
It's sent as a warning to repent you of your sins, and it's howling because it hates to go back.
British Dictionary definitions for howling (prenominal) informal (intensifier) a howling success ; a howling error Show More
Derived Forms howlingly , adverb 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 Show More
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 Show More
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
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Word Origin and History for howling v. early 13c., houlen , probably ultimately of imitative origin; similar formations are found in other Germanic languages. Related: Howled ; howling . As a noun from 1590s.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
