noun
howl
HOWL
noun
1
The long, mournful cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal.
"A wolf's howl echoed across the valley."
"The dog let out a howl every time the siren passed."
2
A loud cry of pain, distress, or laughter from a person.
"He let out a howl of pain when he stubbed his toe."
verb
1
To make a long, loud, mournful cry, as a wolf or dog does.
"The wind howled through the empty streets."
"Wolves howled somewhere in the dark forest."
2
To cry out loudly in pain, anger, or laughter.
"The baby howled until someone picked her up."
"The crowd howled with laughter at the joke."
How to Use Howl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long, loud cry — from a wolf, the wind, or a person in pain, anger, or fits of laughter.
Common pairings
howl in pain
howl with laughter
the wind howled
a wolf howl
Word Forms
howled past tense, howls plural, howls singular
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Etymology
From Old English roots meaning "to howl," almost certainly an imitation of the sound itself — much like similar words in German (heulen) and Dutch (huilen).