What does wail mean?
Wail means to cry loudly, especially as a result of grief, pain, fear, or other intense distress, and it can also refer to a loud, sustained complaint. As a noun, a wail is the cry itself, such as a wail of anguish or a child's frightened wail. The word often conveys a sense of emotional force and can describe sounds that are raw, uncontrolled, or theatrical. In everyday use, people may say that someone is “wailing” when they are protesting loudly, although this sense can imply exaggerated distress. Wail is used in British and American English and is familiar in stories, journalism, conversation, and figurative expressions. Its long history and close association with lamentation make it a particularly vivid word for expressing sorrow, suffering, and emotional overwhelm.
To cry loudly because of grief, pain, fear, or distress; to complain or protest persistently.
"The injured animal wailed as the veterinarian approached."
The emotional sense is common in both formal and informal English. The sense of loud, persistent complaint is often informal.
A loud cry expressing grief, pain, fear, or distress.
"Her wail echoed through the empty corridor."
Often used with expressions such as “a wail of grief” or “a wail of pain.”
The plural is used for individual cries or cries of distress: “The wails of the children could be heard outside.”
"Nighttime wails drifted up from the hospital."
Wail is the sound of distress so unmistakable that it has shaped English expressions for grief, from wailing losses to wailing in protest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How wail is actually used
Wail is common in both formal and informal contexts. It is strongly associated with intense emotion, while the sense of complaining is usually informal and may suggest excessive or theatrical protest.
Easily confused with wail
A wail is a loud cry, whereas a wale is a ridge or raised mark on the skin, especially one caused by a blow.
A wail is a cry or complaint, while a whale is a large marine mammal.