bawling

American  

[baw-ling] / ˈbɔ lɪŋ /

adjective

1. crying or wailing lustily.

   On one of our trips we were kept awake most of the night by a bawling kid—and that kid was you!

   The mooing, bawling calf seemed to be an orphan.

2. shouting loudly, especially to be heard outdoors, over other noise, or by a large group.

   He’s doing his basic training under a bawling drill sergeant who screams orders at the recruits.

---

noun

1. the act of crying, wailing, or shouting.

   After recess I have to put up with the bawling of kids at each other across the classroom, still arguing about playtime disputes.

Etymology

Origin of bawling

First recorded in 1570–80; bawl ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; bawl ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

When I had replaced it I would lie down again on the smelly straw, steeling myself for the bawling out I knew would come.

From Literature

Papa said that after he had read the letter, it was all he could do to keep from bawling a little, too.

From Literature

The other boat master came over to greet him but was drowned out by Joe’s bawling.

From Literature

Austin - who had passed out after making the call - was taken to hospital where he called his father, bawling his eyes out.

From BBC

Her face registered a second of surprise, then crumpled into bawling.

From Literature