Meaning

(intransitive) To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish..

Definitions by Sense

1. (intransitive) To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
2. (intransitive) To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
3. (intransitive) To make a noise like mourning or crying.
4. (transitive) To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
5. (slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.
6. A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
7. Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
8. A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

Example Sentences

The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.

to wail one's death

My lord, wise men ne'er sit and wail their woes

Another outstanding surfer from Hawaii - Fred Hemmings. Fred only stands up on alternate Wednesdays, but when he does, he really wails.

At Boston's Roseland, as "the Count's band was wailing," he grabbed Mamie, an avid dancer. The "band was screaming when she kicked off her shoes and got barefooted

The band was really wailing as we quickly made our dance moves in a most provocative manner.

We had a nondenominational wedding, with a bunch of great Sufi musicians really wailing, and my wildly enthusiastic mother in attendance.

She let out a loud, doleful wail.

Word Forms

• wails
• wailing
• wailed

Synonyms for wail

Related Words

When Should You Use Wail?

Use wail when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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