Howl — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈhau̇(-ə)l/

Meaning & Definition of Howl

Howl (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

Howl (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a crying out in grief

    "we had to endure the puppy's mournful howls on her first night in our house"

    similar: groan, keen, lament, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail
    related: cry, sob, tears, agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping, hand-wringing, regret, complaint, cri de coeur, outcry, protest, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woe
    opposite: exultation, rejoicing
    near: cheering, laughing, smiling

  2. a loud vocal expression of strong emotion

    "heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics"

    similar: cry, holler, hoot, shout, whoop, yell, yowl
    related: ejaculation, interjection, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeak, squeal, yelp, bawl, bellow, clamor, outcry, roar, caterwaul, plaint, wail
    near: mumble, murmur, mutter, gasp, whimper, whisper

  3. a violent shouting

    "the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call"

    similar: clamor, hubbub, hue and cry, hullabaloo, noise, outcry, roar, tumult, uproar, vociferation
    related: clangor, din, jangle, racket, cri de coeur, outburst, protest
    near: mumble, mumbling, murmur, murmuring, rumble, rumbling

Howl (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a long loud mournful sound

    "several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down"

    "the wind howled on the open plain"

    similar: bay, keen, ululate, wail, yowl
    related: bawl, caterwaul, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yawp, yell, yelp

  2. to cry out loudly and emotionally

    "the boy howled in pain when his baby sister bit him"

    similar: scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yell, yelp
    related: bay, caterwaul, keen, squawk, wail, yawp, yowl, bawl, call, cry, holler, shout, thunder, vociferate
    near: murmur, mutter, whisper

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Howl

The most common words with a similar meaning to Howl:

groan, keen, lament, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail, cry, holler, hoot, shout, whoop, yell, yowl, clamor, hubbub, hue and cry, hullabaloo, noise, outcry, roar, tumult, uproar, vociferation, bay, ululate, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yelp

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Howl

Words with the opposite meaning of Howl:

exultation, rejoicing

Related Words for Howl

sob, tears, agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping, hand-wringing, regret, complaint, cri de coeur, protest, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woe, ejaculation, interjection, squeak, bawl, bellow, caterwaul, clangor, din, jangle, racket

Near Antonyms of Howl

cheering, laughing, smiling, mumble, murmur, mutter, gasp, whimper, whisper, mumbling, murmuring, rumble, rumbling

Word Forms of Howl

Inflections: howled, howling, howls

Derived words: howl (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Howl

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

First known use: 14th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Howl

howl with laughter

Frequently Asked Questions about Howl

What does "Howl" mean?

"Howl" means to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Howl"?

Other words for "Howl" include groan, keen, lament, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail and cry. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Howl" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Howl"?

There are 69 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Howl". Common alternatives include groan, keen, lament, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail, cry, holler and hoot.

What is the opposite of "Howl"?

Antonyms of "Howl" include exultation and rejoicing. Near antonyms include cheering, laughing, smiling and mumble.

How do you use "Howl" in a sentence?

Examples of "Howl" in a sentence: "we had to endure the puppy's mournful howls on her first night in our house"; "heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics"; "the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call".

Is "Howl" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Howl" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Howl"?

"Howl" is pronounced /ˈhau̇(-ə)l/.

What is the origin of the word "Howl"?

"Howl" comes from Middle English houlen; akin to Middle High German hiulen to howl. First known use: 14th centuryi.