verb · Southern US · casual
bawling
Crying or yelling loudly.
Updated September 21, 2026
bawling pronunciation
/BAWL-in/
Meaning
The -ing form of bawl. Often cattle calling for mama, or a person deep in tears. Can also mean someone chewing you out: a bawling-out.
How folks use it
- “Those calves were bawling all night.”
- “She came home bawling after the breakup.”
Origin and etymology
Present participle of bawl. Same Middle English shouting root. Everyday farm and family talk.
