scream

Meaning

Noun

1. A loud, emphatic, exclamation of extreme emotion, especially horror, fear, excitement, or anger; it may comprise a word or a sustained, high-pitched vowel sound.
2. A loud vocalisation of many animals, especially in response to pain or fear.
3. A form of singing associated with the metal and screamo styles of music. It is a loud, rough, distorted version of the voice; rather than the normal voice of the singer.
4. (informal) Used as an intensifier.
5. An exclamation mark.

Verb

1. To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, shout outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to screech, to shriek.
2. To move quickly; to race.
3. (informal) To be very indicative of; clearly having the characteristics of.

Synonyms

shout

yell

cry

😢

shriek

screech

squeal

cry out

roar

howl

call

yelp

bawl

squall

holler

squeak

bellow

shout out

outcry

call out

clamour

wail

screeching

screaming

shrieking

squawk

thunder

🌩️

vociferate

weep

whoop

hollo

screak

shrill

sob

😭

sound

🔉

exclamation

❗

bray

bark

yowl

clamor

make noise

piercing cry

bluster

crow

noise

thigh-slapper

riot

sidesplitter

howler

caterwaul

cry loudly

halloo

wow

trumpet

🎺

snarl

belly laugh

sing

shout loudly

babble

bawling

bay

blaze

bleat

boo

boom

💥

call for help

caw

croak

cry of pain

exclaim

fighting spirit

fun

growl

haul

hoot

laugh

😆

laughs

mew

moo

neigh

roaring

shouting

skirl

smile

😄

squealing

ululate

vociferation

whinny

yawp

yelling

cry aloud

hout

loud noise

raise one’s voice

shout to

shrill voice

cry and shout

wawl

utter a scream/shriek

cry of any animal

eateall

utter a piereing cry

shriek of pain

aggressive

Pronounced as (IPA)

/skɹiːm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: scremen

Cognate with Dutch: schremen

Cognate with Swedish: skrämma

Cognate with Danish: skræmme

Cognate with Western Frisian: skrieme

Cognate with Swedish: skräna

Cognate with Dutch: schreien

Cognate with German: schreien

In summary

From Middle English scremen, scræmen, probably from a fusion of Middle Dutch scremen (“to yell; shout”) and Old Norse skræma (“to terrify; scare”); compare Dutch schremen (“to shout; yell; cry”), Swedish skrämma (“to spook; frighten”), Danish skræmme (“to scare”), West Frisian skrieme (“to weep”). Compare also Swedish skräna (“to yell; shout; howl”), Dutch schreien (“to cry; weep”), German schreien (“to scream”). Related to shriek, skrike.