wail

/weif/
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wail

A baby begins to wail in its crib.

Definition

  1. Noun:

    • A prolonged, high-pitched cry of sorrow, grief, or pain: A "wail" is a long, loud, and often mournful sound expressing deep sadness, despair, or physical suffering.

  2. Verb:

    • To utter a prolonged, high-pitched cry of sorrow, grief, or pain: To "wail" means to cry out with a long, loud, and often mournful sound.
    • To make a sound resembling such a cry: To "wail" can also describe a similar long, high, and often sad sound produced by something non-human, like wind or a siren.
Examples of Usage

  • Noun:

    • A wail of grief rose from the mourners at the funeral.
    • The baby's hungry wail could be heard throughout the house.

  • Verb:

    • The child began to wail after falling off the bicycle.
    • The wind wailed through the cracks in the old cabin.
    • She wailed in despair when she heard the terrible news.
Advanced Usage

  • "to wail on (someone/something)" (Informal): To attack or criticize someone or something severely, often verbally.

    • The critic wailed on the director's latest film, calling it a complete failure.

  • "to wail for": To lament or mourn for someone or something.

    • The poet wailed for the lost innocence of his youth.
Variants and Related Words
  • Wailer (noun): A person who wails, especially a professional mourner.
    • In some traditions, wailers are hired for funerals.
  • Wailing (noun/adjective): The act or sound of wailing; producing a wail.
    • The wailing of the sirens filled the night air.
    • We heard a wailing noise coming from the attic.
Synonyms
  • Noun: Howl, lament, moan, cry, keening.
  • Verb: Howl, lament, moan, cry, weep, bawl, keen.
Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "wail" is not commonly used in standard phrasal verb constructions. Its primary use is as a standalone verb or noun.)

Related Idioms
  • "Wail like a banshee": To wail or scream very loudly and shrilly. (A banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore whose wail warns of death.)
    • When she saw the spider, she wailed like a banshee.
wail

A baby begins to wail in its crib.

Noun
  1. a cry of sorrow and grief
    • their pitiful laments could be heard throughout the ward
Verb
  1. cry weakly or softly
    • she wailed with pain
  2. emit long loud cries
    • wail in self-pity
    • howl with sorrow

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