bawl

[ bawl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to cry or wail lustily.

   Synonyms: wail, bellow, roar, squall, yowl, howl

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or proclaim by outcry; shout out:

   to bawl one's dissatisfaction;

   bawling his senseless ditties to the audience.

2. to offer for sale by shouting, as a hawker:

   a peddler bawling his wares.

noun

1. a loud shout; outcry.
2. a period or spell of loud crying or weeping.
3. Chiefly Midland and Western U.S. the noise made by a calf.

verb phrase

1. Informal. to scold vociferously; reprimand or scold vigorously:

   Your father will bawl you out when he sees this mess.

bawl

/ bɔːl /

verb

1. intr to utter long loud cries, as from pain or frustration; wail
2. to shout loudly, as in anger

noun

1. a loud shout or cry

Derived Forms

• ˈbawler, noun
• ˈbawling, noun

Other Words From

• bawl·er noun
• out·bawl verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of bawl¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin baulāre “to bark,” from Germanic; compare Old Norse baula “to low,” baula “cow,” perhaps a conflation of belja ( bell ² ) with an unrecorded old root bhu-

Word History and Origins

Origin of bawl¹

C15: probably from Icelandic baula to low; related to Medieval Latin baulāre to bark, Swedish böla to low; all of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“When we saw each other, we both started bawling. Back then, we hadn’t seen each other for years, so it was such a touching moment for us.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Camels bawled and ran, scattering loads of firewood in all directions,” Jones wrote.

From Seattle Times

Rumor from the kid who was his “nurse buddy”: He bawled like a baby.

From Literature

“My mom was front row bawling her eyes out, I was just confused. It was so sick.”

From Seattle Times

The moment that mournful violins sound out their familiar melody, I bawl.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• sob