howl Hear it!

howl definition

howl (ho̵ul)

intransitive verb

  1. to utter the long, loud, wailing cry of wolves, dogs, etc.
  2. to utter a similar cry of pain, anger, grief, etc.
  3. to make a sound like this the wind howls
  4. to shout or laugh in scorn, mirth, etc.

Etymology: ME hulen, akin to Ger heulen < IE echoic base *kāu- > Sans kāuti, (it) cries, OHG hūwila, owl

transitive verb

  1. to utter with a howl or howls
  2. to drive or effect by howling

noun

  1. a long, loud, wailing cry of a wolf, dog, etc.
  2. any similar sound
  3. Informal something hilarious; joke
howl Idioms

howl down

to drown out with shouts of scorn or anger

someone's night to howl

someone's time for unrestrained pleasure it was his night to howl

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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