howl

howl — verb

1. When a wolf, dog, or similar animal makes a long, loud, single-pitch cry that so

1.verbintransitiveA2
Definition

When a wolf, dog, or similar animal makes a long, loud, single-pitch cry that sounds sad or lonely.

Example

Nala, the pack's lead wolf, howled when the moon rose over the hill.

wolf as subject; intransitive

The neighbour's dog howls every time an ambulance passes our street.

Common collocations
  • wolf howls
  • dog howls
  • howl at the moon
  • howl in the distance
  • howl all night
Synonyms
  • bark

    shorter and sharper; used for warning or greeting

  • bay

    a deep, long bark in chorus, especially when hunting

  • yelp

    a short, high-pitched cry of sudden pain or surprise

Grammar Patterns

howl

howl + adverb of place/time

Usage Note

Only for animals of the dog family (wolves, dogs, coyotes, huskies); always intransitive.

Common Mistakes

The cat howled at the mouse.
The cat meowed at the mouse.
howl is the sound of dogs and wolves, not cats.
The bird howled in the tree.
The bird sang in the tree.
birds do not howl.

2. To cry out or shout very loudly because you are in pain, extremely upset, very a

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

To cry out or shout very loudly because you are in pain, extremely upset, very angry, or laughing hard.

Example

The children howled with laughter at the clown's funny fall.

howl with laughter — fixed expression

Elena howled in pain after burning her hand on the hot pan.

Common collocations
  • howl with laughter
  • howl in protest
  • howl at the referee
  • howl in pain
  • howl with rage
Synonyms
  • yell

    louder and more general; less emotional intensity

  • scream

    higher-pitched, often from fear or excitement

  • roar

    deeper and more powerful, like an angry crowd or a lion

Grammar Patterns

howl + with + emotion (laughter/grief/pain)

howl + in + emotion (protest/anger)

howl + at + person

Usage Note

Common in fixed phrases such as howl with laughter and howl in protest. The object of anger is introduced by at: howl at someone.

Common Mistakes

She howled at her son for the messy room.
She yelled at her son for the messy room.
howl suggests an uncontrolled emotional outburst, not everyday scolding.
He howled with sadness.
He howled in pain / with laughter.
sadness does not pair naturally with howl; use cry or weep instead.

3. When the wind moves with great force, producing a prolonged, loud rushing sound

3.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

When the wind moves with great force, producing a prolonged, loud rushing sound as it passes through narrow spaces or around buildings and trees.

Example

The wind howled through the narrow canyon all night long.

wind + howl + through + place

Outside the cabin, the storm howled and shook the wooden walls.

Common collocations
  • wind howls
  • storm howls
  • howl through the trees
  • howl around the house
  • howl across the plain
Synonyms
  • roar

    deeper and more powerful, often used for fire, sea, or engines

  • whistle

    higher-pitched and thinner

  • shriek

    implies a piercing, unpleasant sound

Grammar Patterns

howl + through/across/around/outside + place

wind + howls

Usage Note

Subject is always the wind or a storm. Frequently used with direction words such as through, around, or across describing the wind's path.

Common Mistakes

The rain howled against the window.
The wind howled against the window.
howl describes wind, not rain. Use beat or pound for rain.
Phrasal verbs

howl down

phrasal verb

To prevent a speaker from being heard by shouting loudly and angrily.

The crowd howled down the politician during his speech.

Did the audience howl down the new proposal at the meeting?

howl — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Bark, growl, whine, yelp, bay, and howl are all vocal sounds made by dogs and wolves, but each signals a different message. A bark is a short, sharp sound used for warning or greeting. A growl is a low, threatening rumble that warns others to stay away. A whine is a high-pitched, drawn-out nasal sound that often signals anxiety or a request. A yelp is a short, high-pitched cry of sudden pain or surprise. To bay is to give a long, deep bark in chorus, especially when hunting. A howl is a long, sustained, mournful cry that carries over long distances for group communication. For example: the dog barked at the mailman, then whined at the door to be let in. The injured puppy let out a yelp, followed by a low growl when the vet approached. At night, the pack howled together under the full moon.

bark ↗growl ↗whineyelpbay ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • howl with laughter
  • howl in protest
  • howl at the moon
  • let out a howl
  • howls of rage

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicOld EnglishEnglish

Howl comes from Old English hūlan, which imitates the long, mournful sound of a wolf or dog. Similar sound-imitating words exist in other Germanic languages, such as Middle Dutch hulen and German heulen. The use of howl for the sound of the wind dates back to the 1500s.