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

When they get their money, they run madly for the exits, bowling over anyone in their path, and they squeal away in their cars, leaving tire tracks on the road.

From Slate • Nov. 15, 2025

The word “try” is banned—if a student says it, Lee lets out a squeal so loud that the teaching assistant on the other side of the wall can hear it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 20, 2025

"We just heard this squeal, the rev of an engine and a huge, loud impact," Kimberly Stricklen, a visitor to New Orleans, told Reuters.

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2025

Kids squeal and laugh as they dive nose-first into the ocean from their boogie boards.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2024

“Johnson knows all about the Smith blow up and will squeal if made to do so,” Gregg promised.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

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