yodel

1 of 2

verb

yo·​del ˈyō-dᵊl 

yodeled or yodelled; yodeling or yodelling ˈyōd-liŋ 

ˈyō-dᵊl-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to sing by suddenly changing from a natural voice to a falsetto and back

also : to shout or call in a similar manner

transitive verb

: to sing (a tune) by yodeling

yodeler

ˈyōd-lər 

ˈyō-dᵊl-ər

noun

yodel

2 of 2

noun

: a song or refrain sung by yodeling

also : a yodeled shout or cry

Examples of yodel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Performance by Mike Schneider Polka Band, a Milwaukee polka band 6:30 p.m. – Miss Oktoberfest Competition; competitors must be 21 or older, and categories include yodeling, stein hoisting, and a beer chug. —Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2024

Immerse yourself in traditional Oktoberfest revelry with authentic German music, brimming steins and tasty German delights, plus dance contests, stein-holding challenges, yodeling competitions and other festivities. —Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 5 Sep. 2024

Noun

My voice just does that—a little tiny ghost of a yodel at the end of some lines. —Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024

Reba's mother passed on the gift of yodel to the Queen of Country, who doesn't have to be asked twice to show off her skills. —Maggie Fremont, EW.com, 27 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Verb

German jodeln

First Known Use

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1844, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

yodel

verb

yo·​del

ˈyōd-ᵊl

yodeled or yodelled; yodeling or yodelling

ˈyōd-liŋ,

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to sing while frequently going back and forth between the range of one's natural voice and a higher range

also : to shout or call in this manner

yodel noun

yodeler

ˈyōd-lər

-ᵊl-ər

noun