noun
Uncommon
howl
HOWL
Howl (noun) means the long, mournful cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal. Example: “A wolf's howl echoed across the valley.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- howls
- Third person singular
- howls
- Past tense
- howled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A wolf's _____ echoed across the valley.
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).
Related words
Rhymes for howl
See all rhymes for 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.
