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definitions

screeching

[ skree-ching ]
/ ˈskri tʃɪŋ /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR screeching ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing or uttering screeches: screeching bats.
characteristic of screeches; harshly shrill: a screeching tone.

noun

the act or sound of a person or thing that screeches.

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RELATED WORDS

shout, shriek, yell, howl, squeal, outcry, shrill

Nearby words

screamingly, screamo, scree, screech, screech owl, screeching, screechingly, screechy, screed, screen, screen actors guild

Origin of screeching

First recorded in 1610–20; screech + -ing2, -ing1
Related formsscreech·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for screeching (2 of 2)

screech

[ skreech ]
/ skritʃ /

verb (used without object)

to utter or make a harsh, shrill cry or sound: The child screeched hysterically. The brakes screeched.

verb (used with object)

to utter with a screech: She screeched her warning.

noun

a harsh, shrill cry or sound: an owl's screech; the screech of brakes.

Origin of screech

1550–60; variant of obsolete scritch to scream; akin to screak
Related formsscreech·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for screeching

British Dictionary definitions for screeching (1 of 2)

screech

1
/ (skriːtʃ) /

noun

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

verb

to utter with or produce a screech
Derived Formsscreecher, noun

Word Origin for screech

C16: variant of earlier scritch, of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for screeching (2 of 2)

screech

2
/ (skriːtʃ) /

noun Canadian

(esp in Newfoundland) a dark rum

Word Origin for screech

perhaps special use of screech 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012