View synonyms for

scream

[ skreem ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry.
to emit a shrill, piercing sound:
The sirens and whistles screamed.
to laugh immoderately or uncontrollably:
The comedian had the audience screaming.
to shout or speak shrilly, especially with harsh or exaggerated words:
They screamed across the back fence.
to play or sing in a high, loud, harsh manner.
to be conspicuous or startling:
That red dress really screams.

verb (used with object)

to utter with or as if with a loud, piercing cry:
His patience exhausted, he screamed the instructions to the class.
to bring (oneself) to a specified condition by loud and shrill shouts or cries:
We screamed ourselves hoarse at the concert.

noun

a loud, sharp, piercing cry:
Her scream frightened off the burglar.
Synonyms: , , ,
a shrill, piercing sound:
the scream of the tires as the car rounded the curve.
Informal. someone or something that is hilariously funny:
The movie was a scream.

scream

/ ��ː�� /

verb

to utter or emit (a sharp piercing cry or similar sound or sounds), esp as of fear, pain, etc
intr to laugh wildly
intr to speak, shout, or behave in a wild or impassioned manner
tr to bring (oneself) into a specified state by screaming
she screamed herself hoarse
intr to be extremely conspicuous
these orange curtains scream, you need more restful colours in a bedroom

noun

a sharp piercing cry or sound, esp one denoting fear or pain
informal.
a person or thing that causes great amusement

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Other Word Forms

�ǳܳ�·��𲹳� verb (used with object)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; 1905–10 scream fordef 11; Middle English screamen (verb), (unattested) Old English ��ǣ��; akin to Old Norse skraumi “chatterbox, braggart,” skruma “to jabber”; sc- (for regular sh- as in Middle English shreame ) from obsolete scritch “to screech” ( screech

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

C13: from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch schreem, West Frisian skrieme to weep

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Synonym Study

Scream, shriek, screech apply to crying out in a loud, piercing way. To scream is to utter a loud, piercing cry, especially of pain, fear, anger, or excitement: to scream with terror. The word is used also for a little, barely audible cry given by one who is startled. Shriek usually refers to a sharper and briefer cry than scream; when caused by fear or pain, it is often indicative of more terror or distress; shriek is also used for shrill uncontrolled cries: to shriek with laughter. Screech emphasizes disagreeable shrillness and harshness, often with a connotation of lack of dignity: to screech approval at a rock concert.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Linh and her friends screamed in delight as a truck carrying soldiers drove past.

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After her friend hung up to call 911, Sardinha called her back and left a voicemail message in which she can be heard screaming, “He’s gonna kill me!” and “Get away from me!”

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"I could hear screams from next door so my first thought was to get everyone out safely."

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In one, he screams "you are going to die in my hands you wee cow" as she gasps for breath.

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A 14-year-old girl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil while screaming "I'm going to kill you" has been sentenced to 15 years in detention.

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Related Words

screak scream bloody murder

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