howl

verb

ˈhau̇(-ə)l 

howled; howling; howls

intransitive verb

1

: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family

2

: to cry out loudly and without restraint under strong impulse (such as pain, grief, or amusement)

3

: to go on a spree or rampage

transitive verb

1

: to utter with unrestrained outcry

2

: to drown out or cause to fail by adverse outcry

—used especially with down

howl noun

Synonyms

• bay
• keen
• ululate
• wail
• yowl

Examples of howl in a Sentence

The dogs were howling at the moon.

several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down

Recent Examples on the Web

Where Aegon howls with rage, hurls furniture, and accuses his council of negligence (not to mention the execution of every ratcatcher in the Red Keep, congratulations to the rats), Helaena is weeping, silent, secluded. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 23 June 2024

Studio heads howled, but the narrative stuck, hardening the resolve of striking writers and actors to hold out for a better deal. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2024

The wind was howling and all that roiling and fast-running water can put a fellow’s mind at ease, if only for a moment or two. —Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 8 June 2024

Why is it called the Full Wolf Moon? Wolves were believed to howl more in January as the first few weeks of winter cloaked the ground in frost and snow, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English houlen; akin to Middle High German hiulen to howl

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing howl

• howl with laughter

Kids Definition

howl

verb

ˈhau̇(ə)l 

1

: to make a long loud mournful sound like that of a dog

2

: to cry out loudly (as with pain, grief, or amusement)

howled in protest

howling with laughter

3

: to drown out or cause to fail by an outcry

howled down the opposition

howl noun