holler

/ˈhɑlər/

/ˈhɒlə/

Other forms: hollered; hollering; hollers

When you holler, you yell a little too loudly and abruptly. A kid stuck in a tree might holler for help until someone shows up to help him climb down.

Holler is an informal verb, useful for those times you call out or shout. Your teacher might holler at the class if she gets angry enough, and you might holler at your sister to get out of your room at least once a day. A holler can also be a dip or depression in the land, a hollow. The word dates from the 17th century, a colloquial form of hollo, a variation on hello.

Definitions of holler

1. verb

   utter a sudden loud cry
   synonyms: call, cry, hollo, scream, shout, shout out, squall, yell

   call

   utter in a loud voice or announce

   call out, cry, cry out, exclaim, outcry, shout

   utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

   types:

   hollo

   cry hollo

   hurrah

   shout `hurrah!'

   halloo

   shout `halloo', as when greeting someone or attracting attention

   whoop

   shout, as if with joy or enthusiasm

   pipe, pipe up, shriek, shrill

   utter a shrill cry

   howl, roar, ululate, wail, yaup, yawl

   emit long loud cries

   screak, screech, skreak, skreigh, squawk

   utter a harsh abrupt scream

   caterwaul, yowl

   utter shrieks, as of cats

   squall, waul, wawl

   make high-pitched, whiney noises

   type of:

   emit, let loose, let out, utter

   express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
2. verb

   shout out
   “He hollered out to surrender our weapons”

   synonyms: holler out

   type of:

   shout

   utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
3. verb

   complain
   “What was he hollering about?”

   synonyms: beef, bellyache, bitch, crab, gripe, grouse, squawk

   type of:

   complain, kick, kvetch, plain, quetch, sound off

   express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
4. noun

   a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
   synonyms: bellow, bellowing, holla, hollering, hollo, holloa, roar, roaring, yowl

   type of:

   call, cry, outcry, shout, vociferation, yell

   a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
5. noun

   a small valley between mountains
   synonyms: hollow

   types:

   dell, dingle

   a small wooded hollow

   type of:

   vale, valley

   a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river