squeal

American  

[skweel] / skwil /

noun

1. a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.

2. Slang.

   1. an instance of informing against someone.

   2. a protest or complaint; beef.

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verb (used without object)

1. to utter or emit a squeal or squealing sound.

2. Slang.

   1. to turn informer; inform.

   2. to protest or complain; beef.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or produce with a squeal.

squeal British  

/ skwiːl /

noun

1. a high shrill yelp, as of pain

2. a screaming sound, as of tyres when a car brakes suddenly

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verb

1. to utter a squeal or with a squeal

2. slang  (intr) to confess information about another

3. informal  (intr) to complain or protest loudly

Other Word Forms

• squealer noun

Etymology

Origin of squeal

1250–1300; Middle English squelen; imitative

Example Sentences

At their most nervous — any time they discover evidence of mankind, even though actual people remain unseen — the sound spirals out into jittery, squealing, inorganic jazz.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2009, a lawyer who lived on Central Park West filed a suit claiming that the intense “whining, barking, yapping and squealing” by her neighbor’s two Chihuahuas was causing agonizing back pain.

From Seattle Times

They landed hard and quick — Bryan was singing with a rugged howl, guitars were churning, the fiddle poked through the top like a squeal.

From New York Times

I tried to keep my cool but couldn’t resist a girlish squeal.

From Los Angeles Times

But instead the concrete loading bays are alive with the sound of squealing tyres and popping engines as cars race past spectators lining a makeshift drag strip.

From BBC

Related Words

• howl
• peep
• rasp
• screech
• shriek
• squawk
• wail
• yelp