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Hoot vs Howl - What's the difference?

hoot | howl |

As nouns the difference between hoot and howl

is that hoot is a derisive cry or shout while howl is the protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound.

As verbs the difference between hoot and howl

is that hoot is to cry out or shout in contempt while howl is to utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.

hoot

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A derisive cry or shout.
  • The cry of an owl.
  • (US, slang) A fun event or person. (See hootenanny)
  • A small particle
  • * 1878 , John Hanson Beadle, Western Wilds, and the Men who Redeem Them , page 611, Jones Brothers, 1878
    • Well, it was Sunday morning, and the wheat nothing like ripe; but it was a chance, and I got onto my reaper and banged down every hoot of it before Monday night.

    Usage notes

    * (small particle) The term is nearly always encountered in a negative sense in such phrases as don't care a hoot'' or ''don't give two hoots . * (derisive cry) The phrase a hoot and a holler'' has a very different meaning to ''hoot and holler''. The former is a short distance, the latter is a verb of ''derisive cry .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry out or shout in contempt.
  • * Dryden
    • Matrons and girls shall hoot at thee no more.
  • To make the cry of an owl.
  • * Shakespeare
    • the clamorous owl that nightly hoots
  • To assail with contemptuous cries or shouts; to follow with derisive shouts.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • Partridge and his clan may hoot me for a cheat.

    See also

    * hooter * hootenanny

    Anagrams

    * ----

    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