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wail

wail

 
 
pronunciation:
weIl
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Homophone Note, Word Explorer
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: wails, wailing, wailed
definition 1: to make a protracted, high-pitched cry out of grief or pain.
synonyms:
bawl, howl, keen, whine, yowl
similar words:
bewail, cry, groan, mewl, moan, pule, scream, squall, ululate, whimper, yawp
definition 2: to make a sound resembling such a cry.
The ambulance's siren wailed.
synonyms:
howl, whine
similar words:
blare, cry, groan, moan
definition 3: to mourn or lament.
We will wail over the end of this era.
synonyms:
bemoan, bewail, lament, mourn
similar words:
moan
definition 4: to complain.
He's always wailing about the hard work.
synonyms:
complain, lament, whine
similar words:
bellyache, carp, crab, gripe, grouse, mewl, moan, snivel, squawk, whimper
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition: to mourn for or lament, esp. while making wails; bewail.
synonyms:
bewail
similar words:
bemoan, lament, mourn, weep
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition 1: a protracted high-pitched cry of pain or grief, or a similar sound.
the wail of the wind
synonyms:
bawl, howl, keen, yowl
similar words:
cry, groan, lament, moan, outcry, scream, squall, whimper, yawp
definition 2: the act of wailing.
synonyms:
howling, keening, lamentation, whining
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: wailingly (adv.), wailer (n.)
Homophone Note
The words wail and whale (a large marine mammal) sound alike but have different meanings.
Word Explorer
See
  emotion, fear, sadness