WAIL
Dictionary entry overview: What does wail mean?
• WAIL (noun)
The noun WAIL has 1 sense:
1. a cry of sorrow and grief
Familiarity information: WAIL used as a noun is very rare.
• WAIL (verb)
The verb WAIL has 2 senses:
1. emit long loud cries
2. cry weakly or softly
Familiarity information: WAIL used as a verb is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• WAIL (noun)
Meaning:
A cry of sorrow and grief
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Synonyms:
lament; lamentation; wail; plaint
Context example:
their pitiful laments could be heard throughout the ward
Hypernyms ("wail" is a kind of...):
complaint ((formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow)
• WAIL (verb)
Meaning:
Emit long loud cries
Classified under:
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing
Synonyms:
howl; ululate; wail; yaup; yawl; roar
Context examples:
wail in self-pity / howl with sorrow
Hypernyms (to "wail" is one way to...):
call; cry; holler; hollo; scream; shout; shout out; squall; yell (utter a sudden loud cry)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "wail"):
squall; waul; wawl (make high-pitched, whiney noises)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Sentence examples:
You can hear animals wail in the meadows
The meadows wail with animals
Meaning:
Cry weakly or softly
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Synonyms:
whimper; pule; mewl; wail
Context example:
she wailed with pain
Hypernyms (to "wail" is one way to...):
cry; weep (shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
