Definition of wail
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Examples of wail in a Sentence
The child started wailing after she stumbled and fell.
A saxophone wailed in the background.
“No! I don't want to go!” he wailed.
She wailed that the vacation was ruined.
Origin and Etymology of wail
Middle English weilen, waylen, perhaps modification (influenced by Middle English weilawei wellaway) of Old Norse væla, vāla to wail; akin to Old Norse vei woe — more at woe
First Known Use: 14th century
wail
Definition of wail
Examples of wail in a Sentence
the wail of a siren
a prolonged wail arose from every corner of the city as the victims of the earthquake were unearthed from the rubble
15th Century
First Known Use of wail
15th century
WAIL Defined for English Language Learners
wail
playDefinition of wail for English Language Learners
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: to make a loud, long cry of sadness or pain
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: to make a long, high sound
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: to complain in a loud voice
wail
Definition of wail for English Language Learners
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: a long cry of sadness or pain
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: a long, high sound
WAIL Defined for Kids
Definition of wail for Students
wailed
;wailing
1 : to make a long, loud cry of pain or grief
2 : to complain with a loud voice
Learn More about wail
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See words that rhyme with wail Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wail Spanish Central: Translation of wail Nglish: Translation of wail for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wail for Arabic speakers
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