English Meaning & Definitions
To weep or cry noisily; to sob uncontrollably.
- “The toddler began to bawl when he dropped his ice cream cone on the sidewalk.”
- “She ran to her bedroom and spent the entire evening sitting on the bed and bawling.”
To shout or call out in a very loud, deep, or harsh voice.
- “The vendor stood in the middle of the crowded market, bawling out the prices of his fresh fruit.”
- “The sergeant began to bawl orders at the recruits across the parade ground.”
A loud, uninhibited cry or shout; a prolonged spell of weeping.
- “He let out a loud bawl when he scraped his knee.”
- “After a good long bawl, she felt much better and was ready to talk about what happened.”
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “bawl”.
Middle English *bawlen*, of imitative origin (echoing the sound of loud crying or shouting), possibly related to Old Norse *baula* (to low or bellow) and Latin *balare* (to bleat).
Think of a baby 'bawl-ing' a 'ball' of tears because it's upset.
Frequently Asked Questions About “bawl”
1. What is the meaning of “bawl” in English?
In English, bawl (verb) is defined as: “To weep or cry noisily; to sob uncontrollably.”.
2. How do you use “bawl” in a sentence?
“The toddler began to bawl when he dropped his ice cream cone on the sidewalk.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “bawl”?
Middle English *bawlen*, of imitative origin (echoing the sound of loud crying or shouting), possibly related to Old Norse *baula* (to low or bellow) and Latin *balare* (to bleat).
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