0
Kane159 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Wail vs howl

Hi,
is there any difference between these two, please?

For example:
The howl of wind / the wail of wind

Thank you!
  

Top answer

More often it's " the wind" in these expressions. The howl of the wind suggests (to me) the sound that dogs make. The wail of the wind suggests (to me) some kind of mourning or lamentation.

— CalifJim

  • More often it's " the wind" in these expressions.
  • The howl of the wind suggests (to me) the sound that dogs make.
  • The wail of the wind suggests (to me) some kind of mourning or lamentation.
  • I think howling wind is more fierce than wailing wind, but I think that's just my personal view.
  • The two are pretty close to the same.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

3 Answers
0
More often it's "the wind" in these expressions.

The howl of the wind suggests (to me) the sound that dogs make.

The wail of the wind suggests (to me) some kind of mourning or lamentation.

I think howling wind is more fierce than wailing wind, but I think that's just my personal view. The two are pretty close to the same. It seems to me that "howl
0
0
To me, howling suggests anger and wailing suggests sorrow.
0
0
khoffTo me, howling suggests anger and wailing suggests sorrow.
Hmm. Yes. I think the use of "howl" is supposed to make the reader feel more afraid than "wail" is. And as for "wuthering", let's not even go there!

CJ
0

Related Questions