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Yell vs Wail - What's the difference?

yell | wail | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between yell and wail

is that yell is shout; holler; make a loud sound with the voice while wail is to make a noise like mourning or crying.

In transitive terms the difference between yell and wail

is that yell is to convey by shouting while wail is to lament; to bewail; to grieve over.

As an adjective yell

is dry of cow.

yell

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) yellen, from (etyl) .

Verb

(en verb)
  • shout; holler; make a loud sound with the voice.
  • to convey by shouting
  • He yelled directions to the party from the car.
    Synonyms
    * (shout) call, cry, holler, shout * See also
    Derived terms
    () * yell at * yell silently * yeller
    Usage notes
    To yell at' someone is as in a hostile manner, while to yell ' to someone means to speak loudly so as to be heard.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A shout.
  • A phrase to be shouted.
  • * 1912 , The Michigan Alumnus (volume 18, page 152)
  • After the dinner a general reception was held in the spacious parlors of the hotel during which the occasion was very much enlivened with the old college songs and old college yells , which transported us all in mind and feelings

    Etymology 2

    .

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (Ulster) dry (of cow)
  • English reporting verbs

    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