Holler means to shout or yell loudly. When you holler across a playground to get your friend's attention, you're using your voice at full volume so they can hear you from far away. A coach might holler instructions from the sideline, or a parent might holler up the stairs that dinner's ready.

The word suggests a loud, carrying shout rather than an angry scream. There's often a practical purpose: you holler because someone is too far away to hear normal speaking. A farmer might holler to call workers in from the fields, or kids might holler back and forth between houses in the neighborhood.

In some parts of America, especially Appalachia, a holler (sometimes spelled “hollow”) also means a small valley between mountains or hills. These secluded valleys were named because people living there had to holler to communicate across the distances. When someone says their family is “from the hollers,” they mean the remote mountain valleys where their ancestors lived.

You might also hear “give me a holler,” which means “let me know” or “get in touch.” If your friend says give me a holler when you want to play basketball, they mean to call, text, or come find them when you're ready.