yelp

American  

[yelp] / yɛlp /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

noun

1. a quick, sharp bark or cry.

yelp British  

/ jɛlp /

verb

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

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noun

1. a sharp or high-pitched cry or bark

Other Word Forms

• outyelp verb (used with object)
• yelper noun

Etymology

Origin of yelp

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.

Example Sentences

Clare yelped and lost his balance, tumbling to the floor with a great crash.

From Literature

I was prepared for that one, as a fellow theatergoer nearby let out a soft yelp when the unseen gestures first arrived above their head.

From Los Angeles Times

As two bars of precious prewar soap appeared, Frau Mikes clapped her hand over her mouth to suppress her yelp of triumph.

From Literature

When he saw Glenn, he shot off to tall timber, yelping.

From Literature

It extended one large grey paw and patted the flames -then leapt back with an outraged yelp.

From Literature

Related Words

• hoot