Caterwaul

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: ca + ter + waul
• RP IPA: /ˈkæt.É™.wɔːl/
• US IPA: /ˈkæt.Éš.wÉ”l/, /ˈkæt.Éš.wÉ‘l/
• cot-caught IPA: /ˈkæt.Éš.wÉ‘l/

Origin

From Middle English caterwrawe (one of numerous earlier variants); from cater ("cat") + wrawen/wrawlen ("cry like a cat").

Full definition of caterwaul

Verb

1. (intransitive) To cry as cats in heat; to make a harsh, offensive noise.
2. (intransitive) To have a noisy argument, like cats.

Synonyms

Related terms

• caterwauler

Noun

1. A yowling.
2. A noisy quarrel.