Meaning
To cry loudly and for a long time because you are sad or hurt.
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Word origin
From Old Norse vaela, meaning to lament, from vei, a cry of woe.
- Origin
- Old Norse
- Root
- vaela
- English cognates
- woe
Grammar
Examples
.
Wailing is loud, long crying; it is much louder than sobbing.
.
People wail when grief is too big to keep quiet.
.
As a noun, a wail is a long, high, sad sound; sirens wail too.
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English · Free printables
wail: worksheet, infographic and listicleThe padlock and Plus mark show a Kilo Lingo Plus feature. Start your free week to unlock it - no card needed.
Free printable study downloads for the English word "wail" (To cry loudly and for a long time because you are sad or hurt.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free week (no card)This word is taught in chapter 28, lesson 10: wail, mm-hm, signature and 7 more words.