yelp

[yelp]

verb (used without object)

1. to give a quick, sharp, shrill cry, as a dog or fox.

2. to call or cry out sharply.

   The boy yelped in pain when the horse stepped on his foot.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or express by or as if by yelping.

noun

1. a quick, sharp bark or cry.

yelp

/ jɛlp /

verb

1. (esp of a dog) to utter a sharp or high-pitched cry or bark, often indicating pain

noun

1. a sharp or high-pitched cry or bark

Other Word Forms

• yelper noun
• outyelp verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of yelp¹

before 900; (v.) Middle English yelpen, Old English gielpan to boast; cognate with Low German galpen to croak; (noun) Middle English: boasting, Old English gielp, derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yelp¹

Old English gielpan to boast; related to Low German galpen to croak, Danish gylpe to croak

Example Sentences

A goofy grin stretched across the dog’s face and he let out a happy yelp.

Read more on Literature

Or, as Doc Brown might have yelped, changes could have disastrous consequences.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Nebraska” is a minimalist tableau of sin, a chilling void punctuated with coyote yelps and lonely harmonica solos.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And I like the people yelping “This is golf, not the UFC!” as if a mixed martial arts crowd would somehow be worse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“South Park”’s official X account reacted by posting the episode’s Paramount+ exclusive ending credits scene, wherein its animated Noem is seen entering a pet store, followed by the sound of gunfire and canine yelps.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• hoot