Howl Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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howl

[haʊl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

loneliness

To utter a loud, prolonged, mournful sound expressing pain or sorrow.

Synonyms

bellow, cry, wail, yowl.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
howl	Howl is often used to describe the sound that wolves or dogs make, especially in the night. It can also describe a loud, prolonged cry of pain, distress, or laughter. The dog began to howl at the moon She let out a howl of laughter when she heard the joke
wail	Wail is used to describe a long, high-pitched cry of pain, grief, or misery. It often conveys a sense of deep sorrow or distress. The child began to wail after falling down There was a wail of despair from the grieving family
cry	Cry is a versatile term used to indicate shedding tears in response to an emotional state or to make a loud call. It can be used in various emotional contexts, from sadness to joy. She started to cry when she heard the sad news The baby’s cry woke everyone up in the middle of the night
bellow	Bellow refers to a loud, deep, and powerful shout, often used when someone is angry or shouting to be heard over a great distance. He had to bellow over the noise for everyone to hear him The angry boss bellowed at his employees
yowl	Yowl typically describes a loud, wailing cry, especially used to talk about animals like cats. It can also describe a cry of distress or pain in humans, but this usage is less common. The cat let out a loud yowl when its tail got stepped on He yowled in pain when he stubbed his toe

Examples of usage

The wolf howled at the moon in the middle of the night.
The wind howled through the trees, creating an eerie atmosphere.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sound

A long, loud, doleful cry uttered by an animal such as a wolf or a dog.

Synonyms

bellow, cry, wail, yowl.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
howl	Used to describe the long, loud sound made by wolves, dogs, or sometimes humans when they are in pain or very sad. The wolves began to howl at the full moon. She couldn't stop the howl that escaped her lips when she heard the bad news.
cry	The act of shedding tears, often accompanied by sobbing, due to emotion like sadness, pain, or joy. The baby began to cry when she fell down. She couldn't help but cry tears of joy at the good news.
wail	Refers to a prolonged, high-pitched cry of pain, grief, or despair. Often has a more intense emotional quality compared to 'cry'. She started to wail when she heard about the tragic accident. The sound of the infant's wail filled the room.
yowl	Describes a loud, mournful cry, often used to describe the sounds made by cats or other animals, but can also refer to humans in extreme distress. The cat began to yowl after being left outside all night. He let out a yowl of pain when he stubbed his toe.
bellow	Typically refers to a deep, loud roar, usually emitted by a large animal like a bull, or metaphorically by a human trying to communicate anger or frustration loudly. The bull bellowed loudly in the field. He started to bellow in anger when he saw the mess in the kitchen.

Examples of usage

The howl of the coyote echoed through the dark canyon.
The howl of the wind outside made it difficult to sleep.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

Many canines howl to communicate with others, especially over long distances or when separated from their pack.
Cats can also make similar sounds, though it's less commonly referred to as howling, showcasing the need for vocal expression in different species.
Some dog breeds, like the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky, are more prone to howl due to their strong ancestral ties to wolves.

Culture and Media

Howling has been widely depicted in movies to evoke feelings of loneliness or mystery, often associated with the night.
In music, howling is sometimes imitated or referenced to express deep emotions, such as sorrow or longing.
Various artists have captured the howl of wolves or dogs in their works to symbolize nature's untamed spirit.

Psychology

Howling can evoke a primal response in humans, often connecting us to our ancestral roots and nature.
Research shows that listening to howling sounds can impact mood, often stirring feelings of nostalgia or reflection.
People may also howl in jest, using it as a form of playful expression or bonding among friends.

Literature

In literature, howling is often used metaphorically to convey characters' inner turmoil or emotional states.
Famous works such as 'Howl' by Allen Ginsberg use the term to express the struggles and cries of a generation.
Howls are sometimes depicted in poetry to reflect the solitude and beauty of the natural world.

Origin of 'howl'

Main points about word origin

The word 'howl' originates from the Old English 'hulian,' which means to cry out or yell.
In Middle English, it was used to describe the cries of animals, especially in relation to the sounds of hunting.
The modern usage has remained closely related to animal sounds and emotional expressions.

The word 'howl' originated from Middle English 'hulen' which evolved from Old English 'hulian' meaning to howl or wail. The imitative origin of the word reflects the sound of a prolonged, mournful cry. Howling is a natural form of vocalization for many animals, particularly canines like wolves and dogs, used to communicate over long distances or to express emotion.

See also: anyhow, however, howitzer, somehow.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,437, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16434 chlorinated
16435 attacker
16436 finder
16437 howl
16438 thwart
16439 underline
16440 antisocial
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