screech

[skreech]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or make a harsh, shrill cry or sound.

   The child screeched hysterically. The brakes screeched.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with a screech.

   She screeched her warning.

noun

1. a harsh, shrill cry or sound.

   an owl's screech; the screech of brakes.

screech

¹

/ skriːtʃ /

noun

1. a shrill, harsh, or high-pitched sound or cry

verb

1. to utter with or produce a screech

screech

²

/ skriːtʃ /

noun

1. (esp in Newfoundland) a dark rum

Other Word Forms

• screecher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of screech¹

First recorded in 1550–60; variant of obsolete scritch “to scream”; akin to screak

Word History and Origins

Origin of screech¹

C16: variant of earlier scritch , of imitative origin

Origin of screech²

perhaps special use of _screech ¹

Synonym Study

See scream.

Example Sentences

She listened for the grating chug of the wheels and metal-on-metal screech of the brakes as the train rounded each curve, but it was still too far away.

Read more on Literature

“Keep those Incorrigible chickens away from me!” she screeched as she escaped down the hall.

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It might have been a screech owl, but owls were nocturnal and therefore would not be out in the daytime.

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“Here is something else I learned about the poor, Miss Lumley: They do not even bother to dress for dinner. It is really quite appalling. Margaret!” she screeched impatiently.

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But as most of the conference schools appeared close to approving the deal, pushback by the University of Michigan instead brought it to a screeching halt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• howl 
• shout 
• shriek 
• squeal 
• yell