What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
yelp
Example
The puppy let out a yelp when it accidentally stepped on a thorn. [yelp: noun]
Example
She yelped in surprise when she saw the mouse run across the floor. [yelped: past tense verb]
howl
Example
The wolf let out a howl that echoed through the forest. [howl: noun]
Example
She howled in agony when she broke her leg. [howled: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Yelp is more commonly used than howl in everyday language. Yelp is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while howl is less common and often used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between yelp and howl?
While yelp is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, howl is more formal and often used in literary or poetic contexts.