squeal

[ skweel ]

noun

1. a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
2. Slang.
   1. an instance of informing against someone.
   2. a protest or complaint; beef.

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or emit a squeal or squealing sound.
2. Slang.
   1. to turn informer; inform.
   2. to protest or complain; beef.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or produce with a squeal.

squeal

/ skwiːl /

noun

1. a high shrill yelp, as of pain
2. a screaming sound, as of tyres when a car brakes suddenly

verb

1. to utter a squeal or with a squeal
2. slang.
   intr to confess information about another
3. informal.
   intr to complain or protest loudly

Derived Forms

• ˈsquealer, noun

Other Words From

• squealer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeal¹

1250–1300; Middle English squelen; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeal¹

C13 squelen , of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“You know, I was wondering if you could keep on,” Jackson murmurs over a strutting bass line in his breathy spoken introduction, “because the force, it’s got a lot of power, and it make me feel like …” Then the 20-year-old unleashes the high-pitched squeal that let everybody know this former kiddie star had become a man.

From Los Angeles Times

Kids squeal and laugh as they dive nose-first into the ocean from their boogie boards.

From Los Angeles Times

Cocoa protectively jumps in front of us, but with one look from DD, she collapses with a squeal.

From Literature

Just before it hit his knee, the broom leapt out of Jack’s hands and into the air with a squeal.

From Literature

The kids squealed and giggled and clapped, and I couldn’t hold back a big squeal of my own.

From Literature

Related Words

• howl
• peep
• rasp
• screech
• shriek
• squawk
• wail
• yelp