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wail

wail
W w

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [weyl]
    • /weɪl/
    • /weɪl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [weyl]
    • /weɪl/

Definitions of wail word

  • verb without object wail to utter a prolonged, inarticulate, mournful cry, usually high-pitched or clear-sounding, as in grief or suffering: to wail with pain. 1
  • verb without object wail to make mournful sounds, as music or the wind. 1
  • verb without object wail to lament or mourn bitterly. 1
  • verb without object wail Jazz. to perform exceptionally well. 1
  • verb without object wail Slang. to express emotion musically or verbally in an exciting, satisfying way. 1
  • verb with object wail to express deep sorrow for; mourn; lament; bewail: to wail the dead; to wail one's fate. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of wail

First appearance:

before 1300
One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English weile (v. and noun), perhaps derivative of Old English weilā(wei) well-away; compare Old English wǣlan to torment, Old Norse wǣla to wail

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Wail

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

wail popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

wail usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for wail

noun wail

  • howl — to utter a loud, prolonged, mournful cry, as that of a dog or wolf.
  • moan — a prolonged, low, inarticulate sound uttered from or as if from physical or mental suffering.
  • yowl — to utter a long, distressful or dismal cry, as an animal or a person; howl.
  • scream — to utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry.
  • cry — When you cry, tears come from your eyes, usually because you are unhappy or hurt.

verb wail

  • weep — to express grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears; shed tears; cry: to weep for joy; to weep with rage.
  • keen — finely sharpened, as an edge; so shaped as to cut or pierce substances readily: a keen razor.
  • grieve — to feel grief or great sorrow: She has grieved over his death for nearly three years.
  • mourn — Feel or show deep sorrow or regret for (someone or their death), typically by following conventions such as the wearing of black clothes.
  • sob — to weep with a convulsive catching of the breath.

Antonyms for wail

verb wail

  • approve — If you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased about it.
  • compliment — A compliment is a polite remark that you say to someone to show that you like their appearance, appreciate their qualities, or approve of what they have done.
  • gloat — to look at or think about with great or excessive, often smug or malicious, satisfaction: The opposing team gloated over our bad luck.
  • praise — the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
  • whimper — to cry with low, plaintive, broken sounds.

Top questions with wail

  • what does wail mean?
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  • why does my cat wail?
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See also

Matching words

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