verb
bawl
bawl
verb
1
To shout loudly, often in anger or to be heard over noise.
"The coach bawled instructions from the sideline."
"He bawled at the kids to get off the road."
2
To cry loudly and without restraint.
"The toddler bawled for twenty minutes after dropping her ice cream."
How to Use Bawl
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shout or cry very loudly, without holding back.
Common mistake
Often paired with "out," as in "bawl someone out," which means to scold them harshly.
Common pairings
bawl out
bawl your eyes out
bawl at someone
Word Forms
bawled past tense, bawls plural, bawls singular
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Etymology
From Middle English "baulen," related to Old Norse and Latin words for bellowing or roaring, ultimately imitating the sound itself.