# wailing

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈweɪlɪŋ/ · frequency rank #25,253

## Definitions
1. A loud drawn out scream or howl.

## Etymology
From wail + -ing.

## Easily confused with
- **waking** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-waking)
- **waving** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-waving)
- **wiring** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-wiring)
- **wiping** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-wiping)
- **waning** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-waning)
- **waxing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-waxing)
- **waring** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-waring)
- **writing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-writing)
- **waiting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-waiting)
- **walking** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-walking)
- **willing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-willing)
- **warning** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-warning)
- **wanting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-wanting)
- **washing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-washing)
- **wasting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-wasting)
- **warming** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-warming)
- **whining** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-whining)
- **whaling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-whaling)
- **warring** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-warring)
- **whiting** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/wailing-vs-whiting)

## Common misspellings (10)
`awiling`, `waiilng`, `wailign`, `wailingg`, `wailinng`, `wailling`, `wailnig`, `waliing`, `wialing`, `wwailing`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/wailing