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

With the tying run at second base and none out in the ninth inning, he was the calm in a screaming madhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

"My youngest daughter - she was 14 at the time - came screaming that she had seen her brother being abducted on Instagram," she recalled.

From BBC

Ms Moore said she heard her daughter screaming for help, but when the door was removed they were prevented from reaching her by fierce smoke and flames, which singed her hair.

From BBC

But apart from the pop songs that run over the end credits, nothing screams These Are the ’80s.

From Los Angeles Times

She said she got out of bed screaming when the earthquake struck and ran outdoors with her family.

From BBC

Related Words

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