What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Clamour vs Wail - What's the difference?

clamour | wail | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between clamour and wail

is that clamour is an alternative spelling of from=British|from2=Canadian|lang=en while wail is a prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.

As verbs the difference between clamour and wail

is that clamour is an alternative spelling of from=British|from2=Canadian|lang=en while wail is to cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.

clamour

English

Alternative forms

* (l) (US spelling)

Noun

(en noun)
  • * Chaucer (Wife of Bath's Tale)
  • *:Ffor which oppression was swich clamour
  • * Shakespeare (Love's Labours Lost)
  • *:Sickly eares Deaft with the clamours of their owne deare grones.
  • * Addison
  • *:Here the loud Arno's boist'rous clamours cease.
    • (Macaulay)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To salute loudly.
  • * Milton
    • The people with a shout / Rifted the air, clamouring their god with praise.
  • (obsolete) To stun with noise.
  • * Bacon
    • Let them not come..in a Tribunitious Manner; For that is, to clamour Counsels, not to enforme them.
  • (obsolete) To repeat the strokes quickly on (bells) so as to produce a loud clang.
    • (Bishop Warburton)

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l) ----

    wail

    English

    Etymology 1

    Probably from (etyl) Etymology in Webster's Dictionary

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A prolonged cry, usually high-pitched, especially as of grief or anguish.
    • She let out a loud, doleful wail .
  • Any similar sound as of lamentation; a howl.
    • The wail of snow-dark winter winds.
    A bird's wail in the night.
  • A sound made by emergency vehicle sirens, contrasted with "yelp" which is higher-pitched and faster.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry out, as in sorrow or anguish.
  • To weep, lament persistently or bitterly.
  • To make a noise like mourning or crying.
    • The wind wailed and the rain streamed down.
  • To lament; to bewail; to grieve over.
    • to wail one's death
    (Shakespeare)
  • (slang, music) To perform with great liveliness and force.
  • *
  • *
  • *
    • Derived terms
    * wailer * wailingly
    References

    Etymology 2

    Compare Icelandic word for "choice".

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To choose; to select.
  • * Henryson
    • Wailed wine and meats
    (Webster 1913) English terms with homophones