yell

[ yel ]

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.

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

/ jɛl /

verb

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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈyeller, noun

Other Words From

• outyell verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of yell¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yell¹

Old English giellan; related to Old Saxon gellon, Old High German gellan, Old Norse gjalla; see nightingale

Example Sentences

They were across the street from a fire station, close enough for his daughter to yell for help.

From The Daily Beast

Sometimes I want to yell, "STOP MAKING EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU."

From The Daily Beast

Excerpted from Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall Jackson by S.C. Gwynne.

From The Daily Beast

Really, how often would someone yell “rape,” especially when her children are in the house?

From The Daily Beast

The House freshman from Yell County is in a dead heat with Sen. Mark Pryor in the Arkansas Senate race.

From The Daily Beast

A terrific yell of rage burst from every one, and each hastily threw something or other at the bold intruder.

From Project Gutenberg

Chumru, though no fighting-man, realized that he was expected to make a row and uttered a bloodcurdling yell.

From Project Gutenberg

A female yell issued from the alley as he came up, and Mrs Rampy suddenly appeared in a state of violent self-assertion.

From Project Gutenberg

Immediately the little girl set up a yell that, 195 as Burd declared, could have scarcely been equaled by a steam calliope.

From Project Gutenberg

A hideous yell of applause rose from the multitude, and again he plunged his saber into the carriage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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