waul
C2Literary, archaic, technical (zoology)
Definition
Meaning
(verb) To cry like a cat, especially with a long, plaintive sound; to wail.
To make a prolonged, high-pitched, distressing cry or sound, similar to that of a distressed animal or an old-fashioned siren. Can be used metaphorically to describe any similarly harsh, plaintive sound.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Mostly describes animal (especially feline) sounds or is used in a figurative, evocative literary context. It has an archaic flavour and is now quite rare in common usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally uncommon in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes a desolate, somewhat eerie, or pained sound. Can have a slightly archaic or poetic connotation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both British and American English. Slightly more likely to be encountered in literary British texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject (Cat/Animal) + waulSubject + waul + adverbial phrase (e.g., in the alley)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used, except possibly in literary analysis or zoology/ethology texts describing animal behaviour.
Everyday
Almost never used in casual conversation. Would be understood as a dramatic or old-fashioned word for a cat's cry.
Technical
Used in zoology/ethology to describe a specific type of feline vocalisation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The stray tomcats would waul outside the window all night, keeping the neighbourhood awake.
- From the garden shed came the wauling of a distressed kitten.
American English
- The cat began to waul as soon as it was put in the carrier for its vet visit.
- We could hear a fox wauling in the woods behind the house.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat started to waul when it was locked out.
- The sound of wauling cats in the empty car park created an eerie atmosphere.
- He described the old siren's sound as a metallic waul that echoed through the valley.
- In her gothic novel, the author masterfully uses the wauling of a cat to foreshadow the protagonist's impending misfortune.
- The zoologist recorded the distinct waul of the mating lynx, differentiating it from its other calls.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cat's long WAIL: W(A)UL. It sounds like a drawn-out, sad 'wail' with a 'u' in the middle.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTRESS IS A HARSH, PROLONGED SOUND; LONELINESS IS A NIGHTTIME CRY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as simply 'плакать' (to cry/human cry). It is a specific animal sound. The closer Russian equivalent is 'громко и жалобно мяукать' or 'выть' (for cats).
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'waul' with 'wall' (noun/verb).
- Using it for human crying instead of animal sounds.
- Misspelling as 'wawl'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'waul' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Waul' and 'yowl' are very similar, both describing a long, mournful cat cry. 'Caterwaul' is a stronger, harsher, more chaotic version of the sound, often implying a noisy, unpleasant disturbance.
Yes, though it's less common. It can be used for other animals (foxes, sirens, etc.) or metaphorically for any similarly harsh, wailing sound in literary contexts.
No, it is a rare, C2-level word. It is mostly found in literary works, older texts, or specialised descriptions of animal sounds.
The gerund 'wauling' can function as a noun (e.g., 'the wauling was unbearable'). There is no common separate noun form like 'waul' (noun).