# howl

/ˈhaʊɫ/ (US) · /hˈaʊl/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/howl
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a long, loud, crying sound made by an animal like a wolf or a dog. People can also make this sound when they are in a lot of pain or find something very funny.

For teachers: a prolonged, loud, and mournful cry characteristic of wolves or dogs; by extension, a similar vocalisation from a human expressing intense emotion.

## Examples

- We heard the distant howl of a wolf in the woods.
- The comedian's opening joke was met with a howl of laughter from the back of the room.
- The wind rose to a mournful howl as it whipped through the narrow mountain pass, drowning out the voices of the hikers.

## Usage notes

- Often followed by the preposition 'of' to describe the source or emotion, such as a 'howl of pain' or 'howl of the wind'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.