Definition of "wail" in English

verb

1. (intransitive) To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.

2. (intransitive) To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.

3. (intransitive) To make a noise like mourning or crying.

   • The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.

4. (transitive) To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.

   • to wail one's death

5. (slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.

noun

1. A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.

   • She let out a loud, doleful wail.

2. Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.

   • The wail of snow-dark winter winds.
   • A bird's wail in the night.

3. A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

verb

1. (obsolete) Synonym of wale (“to choose; to select”).