What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
howling
Example
The wolves were howling in the distance. [howling: verb]
Example
The howling of the wind kept me up all night. [howling: noun]
yowling
Example
The cat was yowling all night, keeping us awake. [yowling: verb]
Example
I couldn't stand the yowling of the baby on the plane. [yowling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Howling is more commonly used than yowling in everyday language. Howling is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while yowling is less common and refers specifically to the sound made by cats.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between howling and yowling?
Both howling and yowling are informal words and are not typically used in formal settings. However, howling may be more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including literature and poetry.