howling
adj.adj. very loud, strong, or extreme. You use this to describe things like a loud wind, a big mistake, or someone who is crying very hard.
adj. producing a long, loud, mournful sound; by extension, used to describe something extreme or obvious. Often used as a participial adjective to modify nouns like 'wind', 'success', or 'error'.
The howling wind kept me awake all night.
The comedian's performance was a howling success, leaving the entire audience in tears of laughter.
Despite the howling protests from the local community, the developers proceeded with the demolition of the historic library to make way for a luxury apartment complex.
From Middle English howlynge, howelynge, equivalent to howl + -ing (gerund suffix).
From Middle English howlinge, howlynge, equivalent to howl + -ing (present participle ending).
Often used as an intensifier before nouns to indicate extreme degree.
a howling of winda howling windWhile 'howling' can be a gerund, it is most commonly used as an adjective before the noun to describe the sound or intensity.