First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1wail
verb \ˈwāl\
: to make a loud, long cry of sadness or pain
: to make a long, high sound
: to complain in a loud voice
Full Definition of WAIL
intransitive verb
1
: to express sorrow audibly : lament
2
: to make a sound suggestive of a mournful cry
3
: to express dissatisfaction plaintively : complain
transitive verb
1
archaic : bewail
2
: to say or express plaintively <wailed that her cake was ruined>
— wail·er \ˈwā-lər\ noun
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Origin of WAIL
Middle English weilen, waylen, perhaps modification (influenced by Middle English weilawei wellaway) of Old Norse væla, vāla to wail; akin to Old Norse vei woe — more at woe
Related to WAIL
- Synonyms
- beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, complain, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl
Rhymes with WAIL
2wail
noun
: a long cry of sadness or pain
: a long, high sound
Full Definition of WAIL
1
: the act or practice of wailing : loud lamentation
2
a : a usually prolonged cry or sound expressing grief or pain b : a sound suggestive of wailing <the wail of an air-raid siren> c : a querulous expression of grievance : complaint
See wail defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WAIL
15th century
Related to WAIL
- Antonyms
- exultation, rejoicing
WAILING Defined for Kids
1wail
verb \ˈwāl\
wailedwail·ing
Definition of WAIL for Kids
1
: to make a long, loud cry of pain or grief
2
: to complain with a loud voice
2wail
noun
Definition of WAIL for Kids
: a long cry of grief or pain
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