yell

[ yel ]

verb (used without object)

1. to cry out or speak with a strong, loud, clear sound; shout:

   He always yells when he is angry.

2. to scream with pain, fright, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or tell by yelling:

   to yell an order to the troops.

noun

1. a cry uttered by yelling.
2. a cheer or shout of fixed words or syllables, as one adopted by a school or college to encourage a team.

yell

/ jɛl /

verb

1. to shout, scream, cheer, or utter in a loud or piercing way

noun

1. a loud piercing inarticulate cry, as of pain, anger, or fear
2. a rhythmic cry of words or syllables, used in cheering in unison

Derived Forms

• ˈyeller, noun

Other Words From

• outyell verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of yell¹

First recorded before 1000; (for the verb) Middle English yellen, Old English gellan, giellan; cognate with German gellen to resound, Dutch gillen; akin to Old English galan “to sing” ( nightingale ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of yell¹

Old English giellan; related to Old Saxon gellon, Old High German gellan, Old Norse gjalla; see nightingale

Example Sentences

“I can remember one of the first third downs, I rushed for the first down and yelled — and I heard an echo of my voice,” Garoppolo said.

From Los Angeles Times

Brent Terhune’s angry Alpha Male yells at a world gone too woke and liberal.

From Los Angeles Times

Austin Reaves yelled at himself after one of his seven misses.

From Los Angeles Times

A stickler for defense, Cronin had yelled at Harris and threatened to throw him out of a recent practice that was open to reporters because the guard was not executing traps to the coach’s liking.

From Los Angeles Times

As time expired, Cook turned to her teammates and yelled, “One more! One more!”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hoot
• howl
• screech
• shriek
• squawk
• squeal
• wail
• whoop
• yelp