howl
10 synonyms for howl, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The long, mournful cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The long, mournful cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal.
“A wolf's howl echoed across the valley.”
How to use howl
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
howl in pain
howl with laughter
the wind howled
a wolf howl
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).
Full origin of howl →Frequently asked questions
What does “howl” mean?
The word “howl” means the long, mournful cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal. In plain terms, a long, loud cry — from a wolf, the wind, or a person in pain, anger, or fits of laughter.
How do you pronounce “howl”?
“Howl” is pronounced HOWL (/ˈhaʊ̯l/ in IPA).
How do you use “howl” in a sentence?
Here is “howl” used in a sentence: “A wolf's howl echoed across the valley.”
What part of speech is “howl”?
Depending on how it is used, “howl” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “howl” come from?
The word “howl” comes from Old English. 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).
Is “howl” a common word?
“Howl” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “howl” have?
“Howl” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the long, mournful cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal.
