# wail

/ˈweɪɫ/ (US) · /wˈeɪl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to cry in grief

verb · CEFR B2

to make a long, high-pitched cry because you are very sad or in pain.

For teachers: to utter a prolonged, high-pitched cry of grief, sorrow, or pain. Intransitive in this sense.

- The child began to wail when he realized he had lost his favorite toy.
- The mourners began to wail as the procession passed, their voices rising in a collective expression of grief that echoed through the valley.

### 2. to play music with energy

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to play a musical instrument, like a saxophone or guitar, with a lot of power and skill.

For teachers: to perform music with exceptional energy, skill, and emotional intensity, particularly in jazz or rock contexts.

- The saxophonist really started to wail during his solo at the end of the song.
- The lead guitarist began to wail, delivering a high-octane solo that electrified the audience and showcased his technical mastery of the blues scale.

### 3. a long cry

noun · CEFR B2

a long, high sound made by a person crying or by a loud machine.

For teachers: a prolonged, high-pitched sound, either human in origin or mechanical, such as a siren.

- The wail of the ambulance siren grew louder as it approached the intersection.
- A thin wail of wind whistled through the cracks in the old cabin, making the cold night feel even more desolate.

## Examples

- The dog's wail echoed through the empty house.
- The child's wail could be heard from the next street over as he waited for his mother to return.
- The mournful wail of the saxophone filled the concert hall, capturing the deep sorrow of the composer's final work.

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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.