好词典

wail

UK //weɪl//US //weɪl//

词源

源自古诺尔斯语「væla」(哭泣),13世纪通过古英语「wǣlan」进入英语,与德语「weh」(痛苦)同源。

verb

❶ 指因极度悲伤、疼痛或恐惧而发出持续的高声哭喊,通常带有颤抖或拖长的声音。

“The baby wailed all night because of the stomachache.”

(婴儿因肚子疼整夜哭嚎不止。)

“She wailed uncontrollably at her husband's funeral.”

(她在丈夫的葬礼上失控地恸哭。)

❶ 指用夸张或戏剧化的方式大声抱怨或抗议,常带有表演性质。

“He's always wailing about how unfair life is.”

(他总在大声抱怨生活多么不公平。)

“The students wailed when the teacher assigned homework.”

(老师布置作业时学生们夸张地哀叹起来。)

同义词:howl, moan, lament, sob, yowl

noun

❶ 指长时间的高声哭喊或哀鸣声,通常传达痛苦或悲伤的情绪。

“A wail of grief rose from the crowd.”

(人群中爆发出悲痛的哭喊声。)

“The wail of ambulance sirens filled the city.”

(救护车的警笛哀鸣声回荡在城市中。)

同义词:cry, scream, shriek, lamentation, keening

常见短语

wail on — 非正式用法,指持续猛烈地击打某人或某物,或严厉批评某人。

“The boxer wailed on his opponent in the final round.”

(拳击手在最后一轮猛烈攻击对手。)

wail away — 长时间持续地哭喊或制造噪音,也可指全情投入地演奏乐器。

“The band wailed away until midnight at the concert.”

(乐队在音乐会上尽情演奏直到午夜。)