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

• bay
• keen
• ululate
• wail
• yowl

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

And in the middle of the room is Julia, not the Strokes frontman, howling into the mic as her rainbow necklace and furry tail flap against a green bikini top and skirt. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025

Burke said the caretaker only heard Kurt howling from another room. —Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025

Shake Brittany Howard alternating between serene high notes and a vinegary rock howl with Cyrus playing chipper, clean counterpoint over production that barrels through disco, synth pop, and French house. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 June 2025

The Thunder are favored at home, which makes sense for Game 1, but underestimate Edwards and his howling Wolves at your own peril. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 20 May 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