# howling

/ˈhaʊɫɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈaʊlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/howling
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. making a loud cry

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. extreme or obvious

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. the act of crying out

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- 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.

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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.