yell

American  

[yel] / yɛl /

verb (used without object)

1. to cry out or speak with a strong, loud, clear sound; shout.

   He always yells when he is angry.

2. to scream with pain, fright, etc.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter or tell by yelling.

   to yell an order to the troops.

noun

1. a cry uttered by yelling.

2. a cheer or shout of fixed words or syllables, as one adopted by a school or college to encourage a team.

yell British  

/ jɛl /

verb

1. to shout, scream, cheer, or utter in a loud or piercing way

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noun

1. a loud piercing inarticulate cry, as of pain, anger, or fear

2. a rhythmic cry of words or syllables, used in cheering in unison

Other Word Forms

• outyell verb (used with object)
• yeller noun

Etymology

Origin of yell

First recorded before 1000; (for the verb) Middle English yellen, Old English gellan, giellan; cognate with German gellen to resound, Dutch gillen; akin to Old English galan “to sing” ( nightingale ); noun derivative of the verb

Explanation

To yell is to call or cry out loudly. You might yell across a loud cafeteria to get your friend's attention, or yell at your sister for borrowing your favorite sweater. Use the word yell as a verb or noun to describe the noise someone makes when they holler or shout. You can yell with enthusiasm, the way a crowd at a sporting event does, or in anger, like an irate driver yelling out the car window. A yell can express surprise, fury, or delight — but it's always loud. The Old English root is galan, "to sing."

Example Sentences

Ortega: If I yell in my real life, other people will go, “I know you’re upset, but it is funny.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

My husband and I watch “Love Is Blind” with one of those nearest and dearest, and we three approach each season like rabid sports fans who are only in it to yell at the TV.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

The other day I tried to help my fifth-grade daughter with her math homework and the poor kid had to yell for her mother.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 7, 2026

"I used to mostly get people named Kevin who'd come up to me and ask me to yell 'Kevin!' in their faces," O'Hara told People, in reference to her famous line in "Home Alone."

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

I think the ocean is really swell Even if no one can hear you yell.

From "Wolfie & Fly" by Cary Fagan

Related Words

• hoot
• howl
• screech
• shriek
• squawk
• squeal
• wail
• whoop
• yelp