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howl

 - 4 dictionary results

howl

  [houl]
Use howl in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.
2. to utter a similar cry in distress, pain, rage, etc.; wail.
3. to make a sound like an animal howling: The wind howls through the trees.
4. Informal. to go on a spree; enjoy oneself without restraint.
–verb (used with object)
5. to utter with howls: to howl the bad news.
6. to drive or force by howls (often fol. by down): to howl down the opposition.
–noun
7. the cry of a dog, wolf, etc.
8. a cry or wail, as of pain, rage, or protest.
9. a sound like wailing: the howl of the wind.
10. a loud, scornful laugh or yell.
11. something that causes a laugh or a scornful yell, as a joke or funny or embarrassing situation.
Origin:
1300–50; ME hulen, houlen (v.); c. D huilen, LG hülen, G heulen, Dan hyle; akin to ON ȳla
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To howl
howl   (houl)   
v.   howled, howl·ing, howls

v.   intr.

  1. To utter or emit a long, mournful, plaintive sound.

  2. To cry or wail loudly, as in pain, sorrow, or anger.

  3. Slang To laugh heartily.

  4. Slang To go on a spree.

v.   tr.
To express or utter with a howl. See Synonyms at shout.
n.  

  1. A long wailing cry.

  2. A loud derisive call: the howls of an angry mob.

  3. Slang Something uproariously funny or absurd.

Phrasal Verb(s):
howl downTo drown out or silence by loud derisive calls: The candidate was howled down at the town meeting.

[Middle English houlen.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary
howl

  1. n.
    something funny. : What a howl the surprise party turned out to be when the guest of honor didn't show up.
  2. in.
    to laugh very hard. : Everybody howled at my mistake.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Word Origin & History

howl  (v.)
c.1220, houlen, probably of imitative origin. Howler "glaring blunder, ridiculous mistake" is first recorded 1890.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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