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View synonyms for

howl

[houl]

verb (used without object)

  1. to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.

  2. to utter a similar cry in distress, pain, rage, etc.; wail.

  3. to make a sound like an animal howling.

    The wind howls through the trees.

  4. Informal.to go on a spree; enjoy oneself without restraint.



verb (used with object)

  1. to utter with howls.

    to howl the bad news.

  2. to drive or force by howls (often followed bydown ).

    to howl down the opposition.

noun

  1. the cry of a dog, wolf, etc.

  2. a cry or wail, as of pain, rage, or protest.

  3. a sound like wailing.

    the howl of the wind.

  4. a loud, scornful laugh or yell.

  5. something that causes a laugh or a scornful yell, as a joke or funny or embarrassing situation.

howl

/ ʊ /

noun

  1. a long plaintive cry or wail characteristic of a wolf or hound

  2. a similar cry of pain or sorrow

  3. slang

    1. a person or thing that is very funny

    2. a prolonged outburst of laughter

  4. electronics an unwanted prolonged high-pitched sound produced by a sound-producing system as a result of feedback

“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

verb

  1. to express in a howl or utter such cries

  2. (intr) (of the wind, etc) to make a wailing noise

  3. informal(intr) to shout or laugh

“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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Other Word Forms

  • outhowl verb (used with object)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of howl1

1300–50; Middle English hulen, houlen (v.); cognate with Dutch huilen, Low German ü, German heulen, Danish hyle; akin to Old Norse ̄
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Word History and Origins

Origin of howl1

C14: houlen ; related to Middle High German hiuweln, Middle Dutch ū, Danish hyle
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“We could hear the howl — like the roar of a thousand lions, like a fleet of jet engines passing overhead — the sound of fire devouring everything,“ Ramsey writes.

From

With howled, deadpan lyrics like on “Join in the Chant,” McCarthy set a template for how punk’s urgency could lock into dance music’s meticulousness.

From

“I don’t want to boast, but I think my howl is pretty good,” Hunnicutt said by phone while heading to the town of Burney, north of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

From

More broadly, there are howls of derision when England get thumped in a limited-overs tournament, or are clueless when it comes to batting against and bowling spin.

From

When Noah and I took the win, we howled.

From

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