wail
Wail (verb) means to cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow. Example: “She wailed uncontrollably at the funeral.”
How to use wail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo cry loudly and mournfully, or the sound of that cry.
Word forms
wailed past tense, wailed past tense, wails plural, wails singular, wails singular
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Can you complete this real example?
She _____ uncontrollably at the funeral.
Etymology
From Old Norse "væla" (to wail), itself from a word meaning "woe" — tracing back to a very old Indo-European exclamation of grief.
Related words
Rhymes for wail
See all rhymes for wail →Frequently asked questions
What does “wail” mean?
The word “wail” means to cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow. In plain terms, to cry loudly and mournfully, or the sound of that cry.
How do you pronounce “wail”?
“Wail” is pronounced wayl (/weɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wail” in a sentence?
Here is “wail” used in a sentence: “She wailed uncontrollably at the funeral.”
What part of speech is “wail”?
Depending on how it is used, “wail” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “wail” come from?
The word “wail” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse "væla" (to wail), itself from a word meaning "woe" — tracing back to a very old Indo-European exclamation of grief.
How many meanings does “wail” have?
“Wail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow.
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