Yowl is a word for a loud, harshrough and unpleasant to hear; not smooth or soft cry. It can describeto say what something is like or explain it in words the way animals cry out, especially cats, and it can also mean a very loud human or animal utterancea spoken sound or expression, especially a vocal one.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /jaʊl/
Easy pronunciation: YOWL (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the one syllable.
Verb meaning to cry out loudly and harshly, especially like a cat.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Yowl Meaning
to let out a loud, rough cry
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to cry out loudly and harshly, especially like a cat or other animal
Example: The cat yowled at the closed door all night.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- caterwaul — Works well for a cat-like, shrill cry.
- howl — A close general substitute, though it is broader and less specific.
- yammer — Can fit a loud, annoying cry, but it is less exact and often suggests complaining.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Yowl
Meaning 2
to make a loud animal cry
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to cry loudly, especially in the way animals do
Example: The wounded dog yowled in the yard.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- howl — A strong substitute for an animal's loud cry.
- yammer — Can be used for loud crying, but it often carries a sense of fussing or complaining.
Meaning 3
a loud cry or shout
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a very loud cry or shout
Example: A yowl came from the alley in the middle of the night.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- bellow — A loud, forceful cry that can match this noun sense.
- holler — A practical substitute for a loud shout or cry.
- roar — Can fit a very loud sound, though it is often used for broader noisy sounds.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Yowl Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- caterwaul
- howl
- yammer
Very loud cry or shout (noun)
- bellow
- holler
- roar
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using yowl as if it only means a cat sound; it can also refer more generally to a loud cry or shout.
- Mixing up the verb and noun senses; yowl can be a verb or a noun.
- Choosing broad words like roar for the cat-specific sense, where caterwaul is more precise.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does yowl mean?
Yowl means to cry out loudly and harshly, especially in a way that sounds like an animal, or to refer to a very loud cry.
What is a simple synonym for yowl?
A simple synonym is howl. For the cat-specific sense, caterwaul is often more exact.
Is yowl a verb or a noun?
It can be both. As a verb, it means to cry out loudly. As a noun, it means a very loud cry or shout.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
