wail
cry loudly / mourn / high-pitched sound
Intransitive VerbTransitive VerbNoun
past: wailedpp: waileding: wailing
This term describes a sound of extreme emotional intensity, typically associated with mourning, agony, or desperation. It carries a heavy, mournful connotation that distinguishes it from a simple cry or scream, implying a prolonged, melodic, or undulating quality to the sound. When applied to non-human sources like sirens or wind, the word evokes a sense of haunting or urgency. It suggests a piercing quality that cuts through silence, often creating an atmosphere of dread or emergency.
Meanings
Intransitive Verb
[~]
To cry out loudly in grief, pain, or anger.
"The children began to wail when they realized they were lost."
Transitive Verb
[~ something]
To cry out loudly or make a long, high-pitched sound to express grief or pain.
"She wailed her grief to the heavens."