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yodel

verb
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yo·​del | \ ˈyō-dᵊl How to pronounce yodel (audio) \
yodeled or yodelled; yodeling or yodelling\ ˈyōd-​liŋ How to pronounce yodelling (audio) , ˈyō-​dᵊl-​iŋ \

Definition of yodel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to sing by suddenly changing from a natural voice to a falsetto and back also : to shout or call in a similar manner

transitive verb

: to sing (a tune) by yodeling

yodel

noun

Definition of yodel (Entry 2 of 2)

: a song or refrain sung by yodeling also : a yodeled shout or cry
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Other Words from yodel

Verb

yodeler \ ˈyōd-​lər How to pronounce yodeler (audio) , ˈyō-​dᵊl-​ər \ noun

Examples of yodel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Walmart yodeling boy probably thought the same was true for him. — Mikael Wood, latimes.com, "Lil Nas X is a meme star, sure, but his debut EP reveals a star, period," 19 June 2019 When summer reaches the Alps of southwestern Austria’s Tirol Province, yodeling farmers gather in the dawn light to urge drowsy cows into milling herds. — Danielle Bernabe, National Geographic, "Eat, drink, and herd cattle at this Austrian festival," 15 Sep. 2019 The young boy who went viral for yodeling his heart out in the middle of a Walmart was the unexpected hero of the first weekend of popular music festival Coachella. — Cady Lang, Time, "The Walmart Yodeling Boy Was the Life of the Party at Coachella," 16 Apr. 2018 This month Lil Nas X invited Young Thug and Mason Ramsey, the latter better known as the Walmart yodeling kid, to contribute verses. — Los Angeles Times, "Lil Nas X’s ‘Old Town Road’ dethrones ‘Despacito’ with new chart record," 29 July 2019 The Walmart yodeling boy probably thought the same was true for him. — Mikael Wood, latimes.com, "Lil Nas X is a meme star, sure, but his debut EP reveals a star, period," 19 June 2019 The Walmart yodeling boy probably thought the same was true for him. — Mikael Wood, latimes.com, "Lil Nas X is a meme star, sure, but his debut EP reveals a star, period," 19 June 2019 The Walmart yodeling boy probably thought the same was true for him. — Mikael Wood, The Mercury News, "Lil Nas X’s debut EP reveals a star," 28 June 2019 Mason Ramsey, the 11-year-old boy perhaps best known for yodeling his way from Walmart to a record deal, performed the National Anthem at CMA Fest Friday (June 8). — Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, "Mason Ramsey Performs the National Anthem at CMA Fest," 9 June 2018 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Focus was a mostly instrumental band known for its electrifying or terrifying yodels on the earlier hit Hocus Pocus. — Mike Oliver | Moliver@al.com, al, "Top 7 underrated artists, albums and songs from the My Vinyl Countdown collection," 14 Sep. 2019 Mason’s yodel was caught on camera and was subsequently shared across the internet. — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, "All About the Fourth Grader Whose Cover of John Lennon's 'Imagine' Is Bringing Us to Tears (and More Amazingly Talented Kids)," 5 June 2018 Mason’s yodel was caught on camera and was subsequently shared across the internet. — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, "All About the Fourth Grader Whose Cover of John Lennon's 'Imagine' Is Bringing Us to Tears (and More Amazingly Talented Kids)," 5 June 2018 Ramsey nails the vocals of the tune, as expected, as well as his characteristic yodels. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Mason Ramsey Officially Has a Studio Recording of Hank Williams' 'Lovesick Blues': Listen," 8 June 2018 During the summer, they can be identified by their shiny black head and bill, small red eyes, and distinctive calls — tremolo, wail, yodel, and hoot. — Margeaux Sippell, BostonGlobe.com, "Around July Fourth, look out for loon chicks," 1 July 2018 Mason’s yodel was caught on camera and was subsequently shared across the internet. — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, "All About the Fourth Grader Whose Cover of John Lennon's 'Imagine' Is Bringing Us to Tears (and More Amazingly Talented Kids)," 5 June 2018 Mason’s yodel was caught on camera and was subsequently shared across the internet. — Diana Pearl, PEOPLE.com, "All About the Fourth Grader Whose Cover of John Lennon's 'Imagine' Is Bringing Us to Tears (and More Amazingly Talented Kids)," 5 June 2018 Listen to the remix, as well as the original yodel, below. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Hear a Dance Remix of Yodeling Boy at Walmart," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yodel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of yodel

Verb

1827, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1844, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for yodel

Verb

German jodeln

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Statistics for yodel

Last Updated

23 Oct 2019

Time Traveler for yodel

The first known use of yodel was in 1827

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More Definitions for yodel

yodel

verb
How to pronounce yodel (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of yodel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to sing loudly while changing your voice back and forth between a natural pitch and a higher pitch

yodel

noun

English Language Learners Definition of yodel (Entry 2 of 2)

: a song, shout, or cry made by yodeling

See the full definition for yodel in the English Language Learners Dictionary

yodel

verb
yo·​del | \ ˈyō-dᵊl How to pronounce yodel (audio) \
yodeled or yodelled; yodeling or yodelling

Kids Definition of yodel

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to sing or call with frequent sudden changes from the natural voice range to a higher range and back

Other Words from yodel

yodeler noun

yodel

noun

Kids Definition of yodel (Entry 2 of 2)

: a song or call made by yodeling

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More from Merriam-Webster on yodel

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with yodel

Spanish Central: Translation of yodel

Nglish: Translation of yodel for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yodel

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