squeal

[skweel]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR squeal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

Slang.

an instance of informing against someone.
a protest or complaint; beef.

verb (used without object)

to utter or emit a squeal or squealing sound.

Slang.

to turn informer; inform.
to protest or complain; beef.

verb (used with object)

to utter or produce with a squeal.

Origin of squeal

1250–1300; Middle English squelen; imitative

Related formssqueal·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for squeal

squawk, yelp, wail, screech, rasp, peep, shriek, howl, bleat, cheep, shout, yowl, grate, creak, shrill, scream, yip, tattle, complain, protest

Examples from the Web for squeal

Contemporary Examples of squeal

Even with all the money in the bank, most Hollywood stars and executives are loathe to squeal to protect their own hide.
Dominic Monaghan, Matthew Fox, and a Scandalous Twitter Accusation
Tricia Romano
June 1, 2012
Some sound concrete clarion calls, some are like string quartets, some trumpet brazen marches, and some squeal in sheer discord.
'Heroic Old Warhorse'
Jan Morris
February 18, 2011

Historical Examples of squeal

There came a squeal of amazement from Aggie, a start of incredulity from Garson.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
When I squeal, Andy, it'll be when there's nothing but the voice left.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
I'll not be trapped this way by her and let her off without a squeal.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
My friend, you get your hands on him, and I'll squeal on him till I'm blue in the face.
The Black Bag
Louis Joseph Vance
She did not squeal nor shudder, but sat regarding it with gentle pride.
Four Girls and a Compact
Annie Hamilton Donnell

British Dictionary definitions for squeal

squeal

noun

a high shrill yelp, as of pain

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

verb

to utter a squeal or with a squeal

(intr) slang to confess information about another

(intr) informal, mainly British to complain or protest loudly

Derived Formssquealer, noun

Word Origin for squeal

C13 squelen, 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

Word Origin and History for squeal

c.1300, probably of imitative origin, similar to Old Norse skvala "to cry out" (see squall (v.)). The sense of "inform on another" is first recorded 1865. The noun is attested from 1747.