DEFINITIONS

squawk

[ skwawk ]
/ skwɔk /
||

verb (used without object)

to utter a loud, harsh cry, as a duck or other fowl when frightened.
Informal. to complain loudly and vehemently.

verb (used with object)

to utter or give forth with a squawk.

noun

a loud, harsh cry or sound.
Informal. a loud, vehement complaint.
the black-crowned night heron.See under night heron.

Words related to squawk

screech, cackle, hoot, yap, squeal, crow, cry, yelp, yawp, caw, protest, bellyache, complain, yammer

Words nearby squawk

squaw, squaw huckleberry, squaw man, squawbush, squawfish, squawk, squawk box, squawky, squawroot, squeak, squeak by

Origin of squawk

1815–25; blend of squall2 and hawk3

SYNONYMS FOR squawk

2 grumble, gripe, complain, yelp.

OTHER WORDS FROM squawk

squawk·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for squawking

  • Squawking birds rose in every direction as they approached, and clouds of gulls circled around crying the alarm.

    Bobby of the Labrador|Dillon Wallace

  • Squawking and yelling children swarmed over the flags and rude cobblestones that paved the ways.

    The Black Bag|Louis Joseph Vance

  • Squawking chickens darted to safety and a flock of geese waddled off hissing their protest.

    The Secret of the Sundial|Mildred A. Wirt, AKA Ann Wirt

British Dictionary definitions for squawking

squawk
/ (skwɔːk) /

noun

a loud raucous cry; screech
informal a loud complaint or protest

verb

to utter a squawk or with a squawk
(intr) informal to complain loudly

Derived forms of squawk

squawker, noun

Word Origin for squawk

C19: of imitative origin
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