I. ˈhälə(r) verb
( hollered ; hollered ; hollering -l(ə)riŋ ; hollers )
Etymology: alteration of hollo (II)
intransitive verb
1. chiefly dialect , of a bird or animal : to utter its characteristic cry or call
spring frogs were hollering in the marsh last night
2.
a. : to make a loud noise
the children were seeing who could holler the loudest
b. : to shout or cry out to attract attention or summon someone
holler for help
or in pain or fear
heard his brothers hollering as they were killed — G.F.Weisel
or in enthusiasm or exuberance
baseball fans hollering for the team
3. : gripe , complain , grumble
people will always holler about an increase in taxes
transitive verb
1.
a. : to express by hollering
holler encouragement
b. : to call out (a word or phrase)
holler uncle
holler bloody murder
2. chiefly dialect : to call or summon by hollering — often used with out
wake up first in the morning and holler out the ranch hands
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a shout or outcry especially of joy or exuberance
with a whoop and a holler the winners left
or to attract attention or summon aid
2. : gripe , complaint
the new law brought a holler from the minority
3. : an American Negro work song freely improvised usually in terms of the particular occupation of the moment and often without words
cornfield holler
— compare jubilee 8
III.
chiefly dialect
variant of hollow