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 of howl

• scream
• shriek
• 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

The combination of howling winds and low humidity is expected to increase wildfire risk across east-central and southeastern Kansas, as well as central and southwestern Missouri. —Kansas City Star, 17 Dec. 2025

Gabriel Ebert was immaculately cast as the teens’ seeming ally of a teacher, and Sink and her castmates all bared their teeth and howled their humanity at the moon. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Dec. 2025

This supermoon is called the Wolf Moon, and its name derives from wolves, which tend to howl more often in the winter months, per Farmers' Almanac. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 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