wailing
/weɪl/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈelɪŋ] /weɪl/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈelɪŋ] /ˈwāl How to pronounce wail (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈweɪlɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈelɪŋ] /ˈweɪlɪŋ/ (ame, ipa)
wailing — verb
- wailingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- wailings3rd person singular
- wailinging-ing form
- wailingedpast simple
1. to cry out with a long, sharp sound because you are in pain, shocked, or very sa
to cry out with a long, sharp sound because you are in pain, shocked, or very sad
Tunde wailed in pain after the nurse cleaned the deep cut.
wail in pain
The little boy wailed for his mother outside the crowded station.
wail for + person
When the call ended, Manuela wailed and dropped onto the kitchen floor.
Adina kept wailing in her room after the hospital called.
文法句型
wail in pain
wail for + person
keep wailing
用法筆記
Often used for the first loud burst of pain or grief, not for quiet crying that continues for a long time.
常見錯誤
2. to complain in a loud, emotional way that sounds more dramatic than the situatio
to complain in a loud, emotional way that sounds more dramatic than the situation deserves
Christopher wailed about the cold soup before tasting the bread.
wail about + problem
Several parents wailed that the school trip started too early.
followed by that-clause
At the bus stop, Hugo kept wailing about the ten-minute delay.
Stop wailing and fill out the form before the office closes.
文法句型
wail about + problem
wail that-clause
stop wailing
用法筆記
This sense is mildly disapproving and suggests the speaker thinks the complaint is excessive or childish.
常見錯誤
wailing — noun
1. long, high cries from a person who is hurt, grieving, or deeply upset
long, high cries from a person who is hurt, grieving, or deeply upset
The baby's wailing echoed down the clinic hall before dawn.
the baby's wailing
We heard wailing from the upstairs flat after the bad news arrived.
wailing from + place
Pim covered her ears as the crowd's wailing filled the square.
The wailing outside the emergency room lasted for nearly an hour.
- crying
broader and less intense than wailing
- sobbing
focuses on broken breathing more than on loud sound
- lamentation
more formal and literary than wailing
- silence
the absence of any cry or noise
文法句型
wailing from + place
the wailing outside + place
用法筆記
Usually refers to continuing cries heard over a period of time, rather than one short shout.
2. loud, repeated complaints spoken in a high or dramatic voice
loud, repeated complaints spoken in a high or dramatic voice
The manager ignored the customers' wailing about the refund rule.
wailing about + issue
We were tired of his wailing over every small change to the plan.
Their wailing about seat numbers delayed the train for ten minutes.
The meeting ended after an hour of wailing from both teams.
- complaining
more neutral and less dramatic than wailing
- whining
usually sounds more childish and annoying
- grumbling
quieter and more muted than wailing
文法句型
wailing about + issue
an hour of wailing
用法筆記
More critical than 'complaints' and often suggests the speaker thinks the people are overreacting.
3. a long, high sound that reminds people of a cry of pain
a long, high sound that reminds people of a cry of pain
The wailing of the storm siren spread across the fishing town.
the wailing of + machine
The factory whistle's wailing shook the windows at dawn.
Min woke to the wailing of the wind around the metal roof.
The ambulance's wailing grew louder as it turned into our street.
- hum
suggests a lower, steadier sound
文法句型
the wailing of + machine
wailing around + place
用法筆記
Unlike noun sense 1, this sense is used for sirens, wind, and other non-human sounds that resemble crying.