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howl

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As a noun, howl means the protracted, mournful cry of a dog, wolf or other canid. As a verb, it means utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.

Meanings of howl

14 meanings

noun

  1. The protracted, mournful cry of a dog, wolf or other canid; also of other animals.

  2. Any similar sound.

    “The howl of the wind”

  3. A prolonged cry of distress or anguish; a wail.

  4. A long loud emotional utterance

    “he gave a howl of pain”

    “howls of laughter”

    “their howling had no effect”

    Similar: howling, ululation
  5. The long plaintive cry of a hound or a wolf

  6. A loud sustained noise resembling the cry of a hound

    “the howl of the wind made him restless”

verb

  1. To utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.

  2. To utter a sound expressive of pain or distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail.

  3. To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast.

    “They howled with laughter at the prank.”

  4. To utter with outcry.

    “to howl derision”

  5. Emit long loud cries

    “wail in self-pity”

    “howl with sorrow”

    Similar: ululate, wail, roar, yawl, yaup
  6. Cry loudly, as of animals

    “The coyotes were howling in the desert”

    Similar: wrawl, yammer, yowl
  7. Make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

    “The wind was howling in the trees”

    “The water roared down the chute”

    Similar: roar
  8. Laugh unrestrainedly and heartilybody

    Similar: roar

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).

Synonyms by meaning

All synonyms for howl →
noun: a long loud emotional utterance
verb: emit long loud cries
verb: cry loudly, as of animals
verb: make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
verb: laugh unrestrainedly and heartily

Words that rhyme with howl

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