What does ululated mean?
Ululated is the past tense and past participle of ululate, a verb meaning to make a high-pitched, sustained wailing cry. The word is especially associated with expressions of grief or pain, but it can also describe sounds of joy, excitement, or intense feeling. In literature and historical writing, it often evokes a crowd, mourners, worshippers, or other people responding collectively to an event, giving the moment a theatrical or ceremonial force. The verb is not restricted to human voices; it can describe dogs, wolves, and other animals crying out in a prolonged way. Ululated is literary and somewhat old-fashioned compared with ordinary verbs such as wailed or howled, although it remains precise for sounds that are more sustained and expressive than a brief shout. Understanding the word helps distinguish emotional vocalization from ordinary crying and makes vivid the expressive power of language in grief, worship, and communal excitement.
verbMade a high-pitched, sustained wailing cry, especially as an expression of grief, pain, joy, or intense emotion. It can also describe the prolonged crying of animals.
- To make a sustained, high-pitched wailing cry, especially as an expression of grief, pain, ecstasy, or excitement.
- To howl or vocalize continuously, as wolves, dogs, or other animals do.
"The crowd ululated with delight as the champion entered the arena."
"Mourners gathered at the graveside and ululated with grief."
"The exhausted hound ululated throughout the night."
Ululated carries an owl in its mouth: the Latin ulula meant “owl,” while ululare meant “to howl” or “wail.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ululated
Ululated comes from the English verb ululate, borrowed from Latin ululare, meaning “to howl” or “wail.” The Latin word is related to ulula, meaning “owl,” and probably imitates the bird's cry. The English verb dates from the early 17th century, with ululated serving as its past tense and past participle.
Related word forms
How ululated is actually used
Chiefly literary, poetic, or historical. It often suggests an emotionally intense, communal, or ceremonial vocal response and sounds more expressive than the ordinary verbs wailed and howled.