verb
bawl
bawl
Bawl (verb) means to shout loudly, often in anger or to be heard over noise. Example: “The coach bawled instructions from the sideline.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- bawls
- Third person singular
- bawls
- Past tense
- bawled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The coach _____ instructions from the sideline.
Etymology
From Middle English "baulen," related to Old Norse and Latin words for bellowing or roaring, ultimately imitating the sound itself.
Related words
Rhymes for bawl
See all rhymes for bawl →Frequently asked questions
What does “bawl” mean?
The word “bawl” means to shout loudly, often in anger or to be heard over noise. In plain terms, to shout or cry very loudly, without holding back.
How do you pronounce “bawl”?
“Bawl” is pronounced bawl (/bɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “bawl” in a sentence?
Here is “bawl” used in a sentence: “The coach bawled instructions from the sideline.”
What part of speech is “bawl”?
“Bawl” is a verb.
Where does the word “bawl” come from?
The word “bawl” comes from Latin. From Middle English "baulen," related to Old Norse and Latin words for bellowing or roaring, ultimately imitating the sound itself.
How many meanings does “bawl” have?
“Bawl” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shout loudly, often in anger or to be heard over noise.
