Synonyms

yowl

American

[youl] / yaʊl /

verb (used without object)

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

noun

a yowling cry; a howl.

yowl British

/ jaʊl /

verb

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

"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

noun

a loud mournful cry; wail or howl

"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

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

He felt something give way and heard a yowl.

From Literature

Tuna yowls at being jostled, and Eddie winces, clutching her stomach.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023