squeal

American  

[skweel] / skwil /

noun

1. a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.

2. Slang.

   1. an instance of informing against someone.

   2. a protest or complaint; beef.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or emit a squeal or squealing sound.

2. Slang.

   1. to turn informer; inform.

   2. to protest or complain; beef.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or produce with a squeal.

squeal British  

/ skwiːl /

noun

1. a high shrill yelp, as of pain

2. a screaming sound, as of tyres when a car brakes suddenly

---

verb

1. to utter a squeal or with a squeal

2. slang (intr) to confess information about another

3. informal (intr) to complain or protest loudly

Other Word Forms

• squealer noun

Etymology

Origin of squeal

1250–1300; Middle English squelen; imitative

Example Sentences

It sounded like she was competing with her friends Emma and Rachel to see who could squeal the loudest.

From Literature

“It had to be a sound that would stay in the mind of the audience,” Panahi explains, noting he went through several different sound effects until landing on the right mechanical squeal.

From Los Angeles Times

Another gawked in horror as a squealing toddler tore through the store while their mom examined the chocolate moon rocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

I didn’t know my brother was capable of squealing, but that’s definitely the noise he just made.

From Literature

The door squealed as Pa came back outside and handed me a pad of paper.

From Literature

Related Words

• howl
• peep
• rasp
• screech
• shriek
• squawk
• wail
• yelp