NYT Dictionary

HOWL

/ˈhæʊ̯l/
NounVerbHOWLhowl · 1 syllableGrade 1

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025

Meaning

The protracted, mournful cry of a dog, wolf or other canid; also of other animals.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

From Middle English howlen, houlen, from Old English *hūlian, from Proto-West Germanic *hūilōn, from Proto-Germanic *hūwilōną, *hiuwilōną (“to howl”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *kū-, *kew- (“to howl, scream”). Likely of imitative origin. Cognate with Saterland Frisian huulje (“to howl”), Dutch huilen (“to cry”), Romanian a hăuli (“to howl”), Old French ouler, German Low German hulen (“to howl”), German heulen (“to howl”), Danish hyle (“to howl”), Swedish yla (“to scream, yell”), Northern Luri آلٛیر (āłir, “howl”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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