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. (also, figuratively, intransitive) To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to screech, to shriek.
2. (figuratively, intransitive) To move quickly; to race.
3. (figuratively, informal, intransitive) 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

wail

clamour

outcry

call out

screeching

whoop

squawk

vociferate

screaming

thunder

🌩️

shrieking

hollo

weep

exclamation

❗

bray

bark

screak

sob

😭

clamor

make noise

sound

🔉

yowl

shrill

wow

trumpet

🎺

riot

crow

noise

bluster

snarl

sing

belly laugh

howler

Translations

schreien

crier

gritar

gridare

brüllen

gritar

hurler

cri

😢

schreeuwen

bağırmak

roepen

😢

grido

😢

urlare

😱

strillare

😱

chillar

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.