skirl

[ skurl ]

verb (used without object)

1. to play the bagpipe.
2. Scot. and North England. to shriek.

noun

1. the sound of a bagpipe.
2. Scot. and North England. any shrill sound.

skirl

/ skɪrl; skɜːl /

verb

1. dialect.
   (esp of bagpipes) to emit a shrill sound
2. to play the bagpipes

noun

1. the sound of bagpipes
2. a shrill sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of skirl¹

1350–1400; Middle English scirlen, skrillen (v.), perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian skrella boom, crash

Word History and Origins

Origin of skirl¹

C14: probably of Scandinavian origin; see shrill

Example Sentences

Bringing Scotland to the Pacific Northwest for over 75 years through the skirl o’ the Pipes and Drums, the beauty of Highland Dancing, the brawn of Scottish athletics, and the sharing of clan history!

From Seattle Times

Thousands of Scotland fans are in London ahead of their Euro 2020 match with England - but the skirl of the bagpipes has largely been drowned out by a 1970s disco classic.

From BBC

"It had all the strange, wild, emotional force of the skirl of a bagpipe," wrote Herbert Warren Wind.

From Golf Digest

Boats sounded their horns across Bristol harbour, while in Oban the high school pipe band added their skirl to the vote of thanks.

From The Guardian

Speaking after the event, Sir Billy said: "The crowds were brilliant and hearing the skirl of the pipes echoing along Sixth Avenue made me dance a wee jig in my heart. What a day."

From BBC

Related Words

• blare
• hiss