scream

[skreem]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry.

2. to emit a shrill, piercing sound.

   The sirens and whistles screamed.

3. to laugh immoderately or uncontrollably.

   The comedian had the audience screaming.

4. to shout or speak shrilly, especially with harsh or exaggerated words.

   They screamed across the back fence.

5. to play or sing in a high, loud, harsh manner.

6. to be conspicuous or startling.

   That red dress really screams.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with or as if with a loud, piercing cry.

   His patience exhausted, he screamed the instructions to the class.

2. to bring (oneself) to a specified condition by loud and shrill shouts or cries.

   We screamed ourselves hoarse at the concert.

noun

1. a loud, sharp, piercing cry.

   Her scream frightened off the burglar.

   Synonyms: screak, screech, shriek, outcry

2. a shrill, piercing sound.

   the scream of the tires as the car rounded the curve.

3. Informal.,  someone or something that is hilariously funny.

   The movie was a scream.

scream

/ skriːm /

verb

1. to utter or emit (a sharp piercing cry or similar sound or sounds), esp as of fear, pain, etc

2. (intr) to laugh wildly

3. (intr) to speak, shout, or behave in a wild or impassioned manner

4. (tr) to bring (oneself) into a specified state by screaming

   she screamed herself hoarse

5. (intr) to be extremely conspicuous

   these orange curtains scream, you need more restful colours in a bedroom

noun

1. a sharp piercing cry or sound, esp one denoting fear or pain

2. informal,  a person or thing that causes great amusement

Other Word Forms

• outscream verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; 1905–10 scream for def. 11; Middle English screamen (verb), (unattested) Old English scrǣman; 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

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

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.

Example Sentences

When the conspiracy at the center of “The Chair Company” consumes the life of Ron Trosper, he vacillates between screaming fury and the type of validation that lights up his smile from the inside.

Read more on Salon

Hundreds of freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been welcomed with tears and screams of joy as they were released by Israel to be reunited with their families in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Read more on BBC

The Coliseum was as raucous as it’s been in several years, screaming with John Robinson strength and Pete Carroll power, sounding like the glory days again, and it made a difference.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I’m not screaming at the top of my lungs that the country’s getting ready to cease to exist or whatever, twice a week,” he said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The witness recalled the new inmate screaming at Maxwell that she didn’t belong here.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blare 
• holler 
• howl 
• roar 
• screech 
• shout 
• shriek 
• squeal 
• wail 
• yell