Standard Lemma guide

waul

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /wɔːl/
  • rhymes with -ɔːl
  • homophone: wall

1

verb

Meaning 1

To wail, to cry plaintively.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

make high-pitched, whiney noises

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: squall, wawl

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: howl, ululate, wail, roar, yawl, yaup

History

Etymology

From Middle English wraulen, wrawlen (“cry like a cat; roar”). Compare Danish vræle, vråle, Swedish vråla (“to bellow; roar; howl; yell”). See also wrawl.