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View synonyms for

wail

[weyl]

verb (used without object)

  1. to utter a prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry, usually high-pitched or clear-sounding, as in grief or suffering.

    to wail with pain.

  2. to make mournful sounds, as music or the wind.

  3. to lament or mourn bitterly.

  4. Jazz.to perform exceptionally well.

  5. Slang.to express emotion musically or verbally in an exciting, satisfying way.



verb (used with object)

  1. to express deep sorrow for; mourn; lament; bewail.

    to wail the dead;

    to wail one's fate.

  2. to express in wailing; cry or say in lamentation.

    to wail one's grief.

noun

  1. the act of wailing.

  2. a wailing cry, as of grief, pain, or despair.

  3. any similar mournful sound.

    the wail of an old tune.

wail

/ ɱɪ /

verb

  1. (intr) to utter a prolonged high-pitched cry, as of grief or misery

  2. (intr) to make a sound resembling such a cry

    the wind wailed in the trees

  3. (tr) to lament, esp with mournful sounds

“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

  1. a prolonged high-pitched mournful cry or sound

“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

  • wailer noun
  • unwailed adjective
  • ˈɲڳܱ adjective
  • ˈɲڳܱly adverb
  • ˈɲ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of wail1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English weile (verb and noun), perhaps derivative of Old English ɱ𾱱ɱ wellaway ( def. ); compare Old English ǣ “to torment,” Old Norse ǣ “to wail”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of wail1

C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse ǣ to wail, Old English woe
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The winter wails of “Are the Dodgers ruining baseball?” pretty much established the Dodgers as the team other major league owners love to hate.

From

But while Johnson and the larger group were able to move past the federal building without issue, the wail of police sirens filled downtown Los Angeles as the clock struck 8 p.m.

From

So the next time you mimic those lung-busting wails at karaoke or hear “’s Up?” used in a movie or on TV show, you can marvel at the song’s timeless solace.

From

“I never know what to say,” Mrs. Oliver would wail, echoing sentiments expressed by Christie herself.

From

Barrie heard the wail of sirens and roar of helicopters overhead but had no idea what had happened until a neighbour knocked on the door and broke the news.

From

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Waikikiwailful