1.
howling; distant howl
The prolonged cry of a wolf, dog, or similar animal, especially one that carries over a distance.
狼の遠吠えが聞こえた。
I heard the howling of wolves.
犬がサイレンに合わせて遠吠えを始めた。
The dog started howling along with the siren.
満月の夜に犬たちの遠吠えが響いていた。
On the night of the full moon, the howling of dogs echoed through the air.
2.
empty threats; impotent criticism
Figuratively, complaints or threats made from a safe distance by someone who lacks the courage to confront directly. Similar to "barking from afar" in English.
負けた相手の遠吠えだ。
That's just sour grapes from the loser.
ネットでの批判は所詮遠吠えにすぎない。
Criticism on the internet is nothing more than empty barking.
本人の前では何も言えないくせに、陰で遠吠えしている。
He can't say anything to the person's face, yet he keeps barking behind their back.
A compound of 遠い (far, distant) and 吠える (to bark, to howl). The え ending is the noun form of the verb.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 遠吠えする (to howl)
- 犬の遠吠え (a dog's howling — also figuratively: impotent threats)
- 負け犬の遠吠え (the howl of a losing dog — sour grapes)
The figurative sense (sense 2) comes from the image of a weak dog that howls from a safe distance rather than confronting an opponent directly. 負け犬の遠吠え is a well-known proverb meaning complaints or boasts from someone who has already lost.