scream

[ skreem ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry.
2. to emit a shrill, piercing sound:

   The sirens and whistles screamed.

3. to laugh immoderately or uncontrollably:

   The comedian had the audience screaming.

4. to shout or speak shrilly, especially with harsh or exaggerated words:

   They screamed across the back fence.

5. to play or sing in a high, loud, harsh manner.
6. to be conspicuous or startling:

   That red dress really screams.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with or as if with a loud, piercing cry:

   His patience exhausted, he screamed the instructions to the class.

2. to bring (oneself) to a specified condition by loud and shrill shouts or cries:

   We screamed ourselves hoarse at the concert.

noun

1. a loud, sharp, piercing cry:

   Her scream frightened off the burglar.

   Synonyms: screak, screech, shriek, outcry

2. a shrill, piercing sound:

   the scream of the tires as the car rounded the curve.

3. Informal. someone or something that is hilariously funny:

   The movie was a scream.

scream

/ skriːm /

verb

1. to utter or emit (a sharp piercing cry or similar sound or sounds), esp as of fear, pain, etc
2. intr to laugh wildly
3. intr to speak, shout, or behave in a wild or impassioned manner
4. tr to bring (oneself) into a specified state by screaming

   she screamed herself hoarse

5. intr to be extremely conspicuous

   these orange curtains scream, you need more restful colours in a bedroom

noun

1. a sharp piercing cry or sound, esp one denoting fear or pain
2. informal.
   a person or thing that causes great amusement

Other Words From

• out·scream verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; 1905–10 scream fordef 11; Middle English screamen (verb), (unattested) Old English scrǣman; akin to Old Norse skraumi “chatterbox, braggart,” skruma “to jabber”; sc- (for regular sh- as in Middle English shreame ) from obsolete scritch “to screech” ( screech

Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

C13: from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch schreem, West Frisian skrieme to weep

Synonym Study

Scream, shriek, screech apply to crying out in a loud, piercing way. To scream is to utter a loud, piercing cry, especially of pain, fear, anger, or excitement: to scream with terror. The word is used also for a little, barely audible cry given by one who is startled. Shriek usually refers to a sharper and briefer cry than scream; when caused by fear or pain, it is often indicative of more terror or distress; shriek is also used for shrill uncontrolled cries: to shriek with laughter. Screech emphasizes disagreeable shrillness and harshness, often with a connotation of lack of dignity: to screech approval at a rock concert.

Example Sentences

“There’s a mutual scream that happens when you know you’re about to dive into something that is going to be rich in experience, but is also maybe going to test you and pull you and stretch you as an actor,” Lynch says.

From Los Angeles Times

Joan Didion has called fire season the season of prickly dread, the season when the wind works on the nerves and every voice seems a scream.

From Slate

For some reason, there’s something in me that loves playing characters who make you scream at the television saying, “Why did you do that?”

From Los Angeles Times

She has been less vocal about the strategic mind that came up with the Cheerios plot — the girl who has always been determined to get what she wanted without having to scream and shout.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps the most revealing Hollywood anecdote is about Murphy, who created the 2015 Fox show “Scream Queens,” which Palmer co-starred on for two seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blare
• holler
• howl
• roar
• screech
• shout
• shriek
• squeal
• wail
• yell