yowl

American  

[youl] / yaʊl /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a long, distressful or dismal cry, as an animal or a person; howl.

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noun

1. a yowling cry; a howl.

yowl British  

/ jaʊl /

verb

1. to express with or produce a loud mournful wail or cry; howl

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noun

1. a loud mournful cry; wail or howl

Other Word Forms

• yowler noun

Etymology

Origin of yowl

1175–1225; Middle English yuhele, yule, youle, apparently from a cry of pain or distress yuhele; compare Old English geoh- (in geohthu grief )

Example Sentences

His bark turned into a terrible yowling scream.

From Literature

The cub raised its head and gave a bewildered yowl.

From Literature

He knew he sounded cross but he needed to think, and Abby’s yowling did not help.

From Literature

Half the town board was there already, yowling like a bunch of soggy cats.

From Literature

Once the dragon was gone, Jeremy felt better—until he heard the yowl from the kitchen.

From Literature