Word Frequency
wail (weɪl
)
Definitions
verb
- intr to utter a prolonged high-pitched cry, as of grief or misery
- intr to make a sound resembling such a cry ⇒
the wind wailed in the trees
- tr to lament, esp with mournful sounds
noun
- a prolonged high-pitched mournful cry or sound
Derived Forms
ˈwailer nounˈwailful adjective
ˈwailfully adverb
Word Origin
C14: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse vǣla to wail, Old English wāwoeTranslations for 'wail'
- British English: wail If someone wails, they make long, loud, high cries because they are sad or in pain. VERBThe women began to wail in mourning.
- Brazilian Portuguese: lamentar-se
- Chinese: 哀号哀号號
- European Spanish: gemir
- French: gémir
- German: klagen
- Italian: gemere
- Japanese: 長く悲しげに叫ぶ
- Korean: 통곡하다
- Portuguese: lamentar-se
- Spanish: gemir
Example Sentences Including 'wail'
A wail , primitive, piercing through the Baby Linen department.The Golden Lion
At least when you are watching you can relieve the tension with a scream and a wail or whoop in delight.Times, Sunday Times (2001)
In a way the Vancouver girls are bringing the Hammond back to the choir loft, where it can hum instead of wail.Globe and Mail (2003)
Muzaffer looked on in total despair as neighbours began a chilling wail.Sun, News of the World (1999)
Oh, Mother, if you knew the pain... "The word shrieked round the room in a wail.The Glasgow Girls
The question went from her head the next instant, driven out by a wail of demand from below.COLDHEART CANYON (2001)
The wind was howling between the trees, the sound sometimes rising to a banshee wail , sometimes falling to a moan.Midnight is a Lonely Place
Then all of a sudden, Santa, alias Uncle Whisker, began to wail inconsolably into his fruity lexia.Misc (1998)
Where now are all those thousands who went to Buckingham Palace to wail ?Spiked
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