howler

A "howler" is usually a very bad mistake, often one that seems funny or embarrassing. If someone writes 2+2=5 on a test or a goalkeeper lets in an easy goal, people might call it a howler. This meaning is especially common in British English. It can also mean a howler monkey, a monkey from Central or South America known for its very loud call. So in one moment the word points to a silly error, and in another it points to an animal famous for being heard from far away.

The word "howler" has two main meanings, and they show up in very different settings. Most often, it means a very obvious mistake, especially one that is funny, foolish, or embarrassing. You might hear a sports commentator say a goalkeeper made a howler, or see the word used for a ridiculous mistake in a test, article, or public statement. This use is especially common in British English, where it often suggests that the error is so bad that people cannot help noticing it.

The other main meaning is a howler monkey, a New World monkey that lives in Central and South America. These monkeys are known for their deep, powerful calls, which can carry a long distance through the forest. The name fits them well: if you hear one, you are not likely to miss it. In this sense, "howler" is simply a shorter way to refer to the animal.

Less commonly, "howler" can be used for something that howls in a more literal way, but those uses are not the ones most learners need first. In everyday English, especially in news, sports, and conversation, the word is far more likely to mean a terrible mistake than anything else. Whether it is a shocking error on the field or a monkey calling across the jungle, a howler is something hard to ignore.