howling

adj. making a long, loud, crying sound, like a wolf or a very strong wind.

adj. producing a long, mournful, or loud cry; frequently used to describe atmospheric conditions or animals.

“We stayed inside all night because of the howling wind outside.”

“The howling gale battered the coastal cottage, making the old wooden window frames rattle throughout the night.”

adj. used to describe something that is very extreme, usually something bad like a mistake.

adj. functioning as an intensifier to denote something extreme, blatant, or glaringly obvious.

“The referee made a howling error that cost the team the game.”

“It was a howling success that exceeded even the most optimistic projections of the marketing department.”

Informal · British English

n. the act of making a long, loud, sad sound.

n. the action or sound of emitting a howl; functions as a gerund.

“The howling of the wolves in the distance kept the campers awake.”

“The constant howling from the neighbor's dog suggested the animal was suffering from severe separation anxiety.”