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

The way I got into the voice was that I would have to scream myself hoarse.

From Los Angeles Times

He was still breathing and screaming for help.

From BBC

I won’t speak for you, but I would definitely have screamed at least once, or five times.

From Literature

Then he opened his mouth like he was going to scream his head off, but he didn’t make a sound.

From Literature

I screamed, but they shrieked and converged on me like a flying army.

From Literature

Related Words

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