scream

American  

[skreem] / skrim /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

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

2. informal a person or thing that causes great amusement

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• outscream verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of scream

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

Example Sentences

In the end, Rams coach Sean McVay screamed and pumped his fists while begging the question, was it rejoicing or was it relief?

From Los Angeles Times

Robert’s not telling you, it’s not screaming to the heavens.

From Los Angeles Times

“All of this comes together to create a market that is not screaming that it is at a top or triggering us, in our shop, to be bailing out of equities wholesale,” Buchanan said.

From MarketWatch

Holly has been cancer-free for more than three years and is planning her wedding, but says there are days that being diagnosed so young leaves her "screaming and crying".

From BBC

I playfully screamed on the first run, scaring the twins, so we all sang “Let it Go” the next time.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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