To bawl means to cry loudly and without restraint. When a toddler bawls after dropping their ice cream cone, they're wailing at full volume, red-faced and sobbing so everyone nearby can hear them. Adults sometimes bawl at funerals or when they hear devastating news, letting their grief pour out in loud, uncontrollable sobs.

The word captures both the sound and the intensity of this kind of crying. It's not a quiet sniffle or a single tear rolling down your cheek. When you bawl, you're crying so hard that your whole body shakes, and your voice becomes part of the crying itself.

The word can also mean to shout or yell loudly, though this meaning is less common today. A sergeant might bawl orders to soldiers, or an angry coach might bawl out players who aren't following instructions. When used this way, bawl suggests loud, harsh yelling meant to scold or command.