howl

verb

ˈhau̇(-ə)l 

howled; howling; howls

intransitive 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

transitive verb

1

: to utter with unrestrained outcry

2

: to drown out or cause to fail by adverse outcry

—used especially with down

howl noun

Synonyms

• shriek
• scream
• wail
• yell

Examples of howl in a Sentence

The dogs were howling at the moon.

several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down

Recent Examples on the Web

Criticisms of budget cuts without budget solutions is simply howling at the moon. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2025

When this resulted in severe shortages of more than 200 medications, including drugs used to treat cancer and deliver emergency care, Congress howled. —Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

In this case, rather than leave the dog behind to howl in protest, @ernonpan simply carries her around—handbag and all. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Now, the stadium filled with noise as her fans howled at the night sky, utterly united by her music. —Olivia Petty, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing howl

• howl with laughter

Rhymes for howl

• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• afoul
• wildfowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

howl

verb

ˈhau̇(ə)l 

1

: to make a long loud mournful sound like that of a dog

2

: to cry out loudly (as with pain, grief, or amusement)

howled in protest

howling with laughter

3

: to drown out or cause to fail by an outcry

howled down the opposition

howl noun