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Yowling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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yowling

[หˆjaสŠlษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

animal behavior

Yowling is a loud, long, and mournful cry or howl, often associated with cats, dogs, or other animals. It is a vocalization expressing distress, loneliness, or territorial behavior.

Synonyms

cry, howl, wail.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
howl

This term is frequently used to describe a long, loud, and mournful cry, often associated with dogs and wolves. It can also be used metaphorically for humans in intense emotional distress or even laughter.

  • The wolves began to howl at the full moon.
  • She couldn't stop howling with laughter at the comedianโ€™s joke.
wail

Wail usually refers to a prolonged high-pitched cry of grief, pain, or despair. It is typically used in situations that involve extreme emotion.

  • The child began to wail when she couldn't find her mother.
  • He let out a wail of despair after hearing the bad news.
cry

Use this word to indicate the shedding of tears typically due to sadness, pain, or joy; it can apply to both humans and animals.

  • The baby started to cry when it got hungry.
  • He couldn't help but cry during the emotional movie.

Examples of usage

  • The cat was yowling outside the door, wanting to be let in.
  • The dog started yowling in the middle of the night, causing a commotion in the neighborhood.
  • The yowling of the wolves could be heard echoing through the forest.
Context #2 | Verb

human behavior

Yowling can also refer to a human vocalization that is loud, dissonant, and possibly expressing anger, frustration, or pain.

Synonyms

scream, shout, yell.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
yowling

Typically used to describe loud, prolonged crying or wailing, often associated with animals like cats. Can also be used to describe a human making a similar noise, usually in distress or pain.

  • The cat kept yowling outside my window all night.
  • He lay on the ground yowling in pain after the accident.
shout

Refers to loud speaking or calling out, usually to attract attention or communicate over a distance. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts.

  • He had to shout to be heard over the noise of the crowd.
  • The coach shouted instructions from the sidelines.
scream

Used to describe a high-pitched, loud cry, often from fear, excitement, or pain. It often implies a sudden, intense outburst of emotion.

  • She let out a scream when she saw the spider.
  • The rollercoaster made everyone scream with joy.
yell

Similar to 'shout' but often implies greater intensity or urgency. It can be used when someone is angry, excited, or trying to be heard in a noisy environment.

  • She had to yell to get her point across.
  • The children yelled with excitement when they saw the fireworks.

Examples of usage

  • She was yowling in anger after receiving the bad news.
  • The protesters were yowling slogans against the government.
  • The child started yowling when he didn't get his way.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Animal Behavior

  • Yowling is often a form of communication in cats, used to mark territory or attract mates.
  • It can also indicate discomfort or stress, signaling for help or attention from their humans.
  • Mother cats may yowl to call their kittens, ensuring they stay close or return to her.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, yowling is often seen as an ominous sound, sometimes associated with supernatural events or bad luck.
  • In literature and films, yowling often signifies danger or distress, adding tension to a scene involving animals.
  • Certain folklores attribute mystical qualities to the yowling of cats, believing it foretells a change in fortune.

Science

  • Studies have shown that yowling is more common at night, as cats are crepuscular animals, active during twilight.
  • Acoustic research into feline vocalizations reveals that yowling can vary in pitch and length, expressing different emotions.
  • Cats communicate through yowling differently based on their individual personalities and experiences.

Pop Culture

  • Yowling cats frequently appear in cartoons and memes, often depicted humorously as being overly dramatic.
  • In movies, cats that yowl often symbolize an impending event, either comic or sinister, creating memorable moments.
  • Musical artists have occasionally used the sound of yowling in compositions, blending animal noise with human creativity.

Origin of 'yowling'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Middle English 'yowlen,' which means to cry or howl, and is linked to the Old English 'yualian'.
  • It is related to similar words in other languages, showing how the sound of distress is a common human experience.
  • This word reflects a specific kind of crying, often expressed by cats or wild animals.

The word 'yowling' originates from the Middle English word 'yowlen' which means to howl or cry like an animal. It is believed to have evolved from the Old English word 'gฤ“owan'. Yowling has been used for centuries to describe the loud and mournful vocalizations of animals and humans in distress or expressing strong emotions.

See also: yowl.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,301, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.