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wail
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- 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
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definition 2: |
to make a sound resembling such a cry.
The ambulance's siren wailed.- synonyms:
- howl, whine
- similar words:
- blare, cry, groan, moan
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definition 3: |
to mourn or lament.
We will wail over the end of this era.- synonyms:
- bemoan, bewail, lament, mourn
- similar words:
- moan
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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
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related words: |
caterwaul, grieve, howl, mourn, sob, sorrow, whine |
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part of speech: |
transitive verb |
definition: |
to mourn for or lament, esp. while making wails; bewail.
- synonyms:
- bewail
- similar words:
- bemoan, lament, mourn, weep
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related words: |
bawl, belt |
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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
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definition 2: |
the act of wailing.
- synonyms:
- howling, keening, lamentation, whining
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related words: |
blare, caterwaul, clarion, elegy |
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derivations: |
wailingly (adv.), wailer (n.) |
The words wail and whale (a large marine mammal) sound alike but have different meanings.
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