Guffaw vs Howl - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between guffaw and howl

is that guffaw is a boisterous laugh while howl is the protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound.

As verbs the difference between guffaw and howl

is that guffaw is to laugh boisterously while howl is to utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.

guffaw

English

Noun

(en noun)

A boisterous laugh

On opening the little door, two hairy monsters flew at my throat, bearing me down, and extinguishing the light; while a mingled guffaw from Heathcliff and Hareton put the copestone on my rage and humiliation.

* 1906 , , ch. xx,

He walked to the edge and they heard his hoarse guffaw of laughter as the arrows clanged and clattered against his impenetrable mail.

* 1936 , , ch. 15,

He heaved up with a sulfurous curse, braced his legs and glared about him, with a burst of coarse guffaws in his ears and the reek of unwashed bodies in his nostrils.

Synonyms

* (boisterous laugh) belly laugh

Verb

(en verb)

To laugh boisterously.

* 1891 , , ch. 15,

He guffawed at his adversaries.

* 1900 , ,

Peter, on the contrary, threw back his head and guffawed thunderously.

Synonyms

* See also

howl

English

Noun

(en noun)

The protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound.

A prolonged cry of distress or anguish; a wail.

Verb

(en verb)

To utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.

* Drayton

And dogs in corners set them down to howl .

* Shakespeare

Methought a legion of foul fiends / Environ'd me about, and howled in my ears.

To utter a sound expressive of pain or distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail.

* Bible, Isaiah xiii. 6

Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand.

To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast.

* Sir Walter Scott

Wild howled the wind.

To utter with outcry.

to howl derision