What does "howler" mean?
That which howls, especially an animal such as a wolf or a howler monkey.
Howler
/ˈhaʊlɚ/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: That which howls, especially an animal such as a wolf or a howler monkey.
- Grammar: howler is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: belly laugh, belly laugh, bloomer, blooper.
- Useful contrasts: calm, calm listener, flawless performance.
- Usage evidence: Tom played a blinder, making a string of great saves. John, his counterpart in the opposing team, had a night to forget, conceding a howler in the second half that ultimately led to his team suffering their third defeat in a row.
How to use "howler"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "howler" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "howler" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "howler" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "howler" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "howler" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "belly laugh" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "howler", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 That which howls, especially an animal such as a wolf or a howler monkey.
- 2 a glaring blunder wordnet
- 3 A person hired to howl in mourning at a funeral. historical
- 4 monkey of tropical South American forests having a loud howling cry wordnet
- 5 A painfully obvious mistake. slang
"Given what we know about cognitive psychology, utility maximization is a ludicrous concept; equilibrium pretty foolish outside of financial markets; perfect competition a howler for most industries."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 a joke that seems extremely funny wordnet
- 7 A hilarious joke. slang
- 8 A bitterly cold day. slang
- 9 A person who expresses aggression openly in the form of threats.
"Although their behavior does not have the same impact as hunters, howlers nevertheless distract the public figure and compel security and law enforcement […]"
- 10 A heavy fall. figuratively, sometimes
- 11 A serious accident (especially to come a howler or go a howler; compare come a cropper). slang
"Our hansom came a howler."
- 12 A tremendous lie (especially an obvious one); a whopper. slang
"Trump has been trying to sell the howler that India offered a zero tariffs deal, when Modi isn’t even willing to take Trump’s repeated calls."
- 13 A fashionably but extravagantly overdressed man, a "howling swell". dated, slang
- 14 A 32-ounce ceramic, plastic, or stainless steel jug used to transport draft beer. historical
- 15 A small child. slang
"I wanted Leesa to pick up her children, not Child Protective Services. After thirty minutes, I had the two howlers fed and settled down for naps."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Tom played a blinder, making a string of great saves. John, his counterpart in the opposing team, had a night to forget, conceding a howler in the second half that ultimately led to his team suffering their third defeat in a row."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "howler"?
Common synonyms include: belly laugh, belly laugh, bloomer, blooper, blooper, blue story.
How do you use "howler" in a sentence?
Tom played a blinder, making a string of great saves. John, his counterpart in the opposing team, had a night to forget, conceding a howler in the second half that ultimately led to his team suffering their third defeat in a row.
How do you pronounce "howler"?
Pronounced /ˈhaʊlɚ/.
Etymology
From howl + -er. Some senses are derivatives of the intensifier "howling", as in "howling wilderness", (Deuteronomy 32:10)