Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense screams, present participle screaming, past tense, past participle screamed
1. verb
When someone screams, they make a very loud, high-pitched cry, for example because they are in pain or are very frightened.
People were screaming; some of the houses nearest the bridge were on fire. [VERB]
If I hear one more joke about my hair, I shall scream. [VERB]
He staggered around the playground, screaming in agony. [VERB + in]
To play in front of 40,000 screaming fans was a great experience. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: cry, yell, shriek, bellow More Synonyms of scream
Scream is also a noun.
Hilda let out a scream.
...screams of terror. [+ of]
2. verb
If you scream something, you shout it in a loud, high-pitched voice.
'Brigid!' she screamed. 'Get up!' [VERB with quote]
I was screaming at them to get out of my house. [Vat n to-inf]
They started screaming abuse at us. [VERB noun]
3. verb
When something makes a loud, high-pitched noise, you can say that it screams.
[written]
She slammed the car into gear, the tyres screaming as her foot jammed against theaccelerator. [VERB]
As he talked, an airforce jet screamed over the town. [VERB preposition/adverb]
Synonyms: thunder, rumble, screech More Synonyms of scream
Scream is also a noun.
There was a scream of brakes from the carriageway outside. [+ of]
4. singular noun [aNOUN]
If you say that someone is a scream, you think they are very funny.
[informal]
More Synonyms of scream
scream in British English
(skriːm)
verb
1.
to utter or emit (a sharp piercing cry or similar sound or sounds), esp as of fear, pain, etc
2. (intransitive)
to laugh wildly
3. (intransitive)
to speak, shout, or behave in a wild or impassioned manner
4. (transitive)
to bring (oneself) into a specified state by screaming
she screamed herself hoarse
5. (intransitive)
to be extremely conspicuous
these orange curtains scream, you need more restful colours in a bedroom
noun
6.
a sharp piercing cry or sound, esp one denoting fear or pain
7. informal
a person or thing that causes great amusement
Word origin
C13: from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch schreem, West Frisian skrieme to weep
scream in American English
(skrim)
verb intransitive
1.
a.
to utter a shrill, loud, piercing cry in fright, pain, etc.
b.
to make or move with a shrill, piercing sound
2.
to laugh loudly or hysterically
3.
to have a startling effect; leave a vivid impression
4.
to shout or yell in anger, hysteria, etc.
verb transitive
5.
to utter with or as with a scream or screams
6.
to bring into a specified state by screaming
to scream oneself hoarse
noun
7.
a.
a sharp, piercing cry; shriek
b.
any shrill, piercing sound
8. Informal
a person or thing considered hilariously funny
Word origin
ME screamen, akin to Fl schreemen, to scream, Ger schrei, a cry < IE *skerei- < echoic base *(s)ker- > shriek, raven1, ring1
More idioms containing
scream
scream blue murder
COBUILD Collocations
scream
hear a scream
piercing scream
Examples of 'scream' in a sentence
scream
What the producers want is a lot of screaming and running about.
The Sun (2010)
Your muscles are screaming from the pain.
Christianity Today (2000)
Some of them were screaming and crying.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She let out a piercing scream and grabbed her temple.
The Sun (2009)
There was a scream from one of the soldiers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They scream in delight and disappear into the trees.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There was a lot of shouting and screaming.
The Sun (2010)
They were screaming loads of abuse at her.
The Sun (2011)
The temperature dropped and after five hours the men screamed to be let out.
The Sun (2009)
Witnesses heard screams before the driver of the car finally stopped.
The Sun (2013)
People were shouting and screaming in fear.
The Sun (2013)
You can bet he will go kicking and screaming if he is hurled out on his ear.
The Sun (2007)
But how can working in a business environment compare with screaming about in a jet?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We make them scream in pain for ages.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She took him into the street and screamed for help.
The Sun (2015)
They purr when happy and let out a high-pitched scream when in pain.
The Sun (2015)
Then another woman let out a high-pitched scream.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They were just screaming, 'Get out of the way!
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
scream
British English: scream /skriːm/ NOUN
A scream is a sharp piercing cry or sound, especially one caused by fear or pain.
She let out a scream.
American English: scream
Arabic: صُرَاخ
Brazilian Portuguese: grito
Chinese: 尖叫声
Croatian: vrisak
Czech: výkřik
Danish: skrig
Dutch: schreeuw
European Spanish: grito
Finnish: huuto
French: hurlement
German: Schrei
Greek: στριγγλιά
Italian: strillo
Japanese: 金切り声
Korean: 비명 소리치다
Norwegian: skrik
Polish: krzyk
European Portuguese: grito
Romanian: țipăt
Russian: вопль
Latin American Spanish: grito
Swedish: skrik
Thai: เสียงกรีดร้อง
Turkish: çığlık
Ukrainian: крик
Vietnamese: tiếng hét
British English: scream /skriːm/ VERB
When someone screams, they make a very loud, high-pitched cry, for example because they are in pain or are very frightened.
Women were screaming in the houses nearest the fire.
American English: scream
Arabic: يَصْرُخُ
Brazilian Portuguese: gritar
Chinese: 尖叫
Croatian: vrištati
Czech: křičet strachy, bolestí
Danish: skrige
Dutch: schreeuwen
European Spanish: gritar
Finnish: huutaa
French: hurler crier
German: schreien
Greek: στριγγλίζω
Italian: strillare
Japanese: 金切り声を上げる
Korean: 비명을 지르다
Norwegian: skrike
Polish: krzyknąć
European Portuguese: gritar
Romanian: a țipa
Russian: пронзительно кричать
Latin American Spanish: gritar
Swedish: skrika
Thai: กรีดร้อง
Turkish: çığlık atmak
Ukrainian: пронизливо кричати
Vietnamese: hét lên
All related terms of 'scream'
primal scream
an instance of screaming abusively about one's parents and agonizingly about one's own suffering in infancy as a form of psychotherapy
piercing scream
When someone screams , they make a very loud, high-pitched cry , for example because they are in pain or are very frightened .
scream therapy
a form of psychotherapy in which patients are encouraged to scream abusively about their parents and agonizingly about their own suffering in infancy
hear a scream
When someone screams , they make a very loud , high-pitched cry , for example because they are in pain or are very frightened .
scream blue murder
to make a lot of noise or fuss about something
primal scream therapy
a form of psychotherapy in which patients are encouraged to scream abusively about their parents and agonizingly about their own suffering in infancy
prank flash
a short film or animation linked surreptitiously to an innocuous website , intended to shock unsuspecting and easily-offended users of the internet
blue murder
If you say that someone screams blue murder or screams bloody murder , you are emphasizing that they are making a lot of noise or fuss about something that they do not like.
primal therapy
a form of psychotherapy in which patients are encouraged to scream abusively about their parents and agonizingly about their own suffering in infancy
Chinese translation of 'scream'
scream
(skriːm)
n(c)
尖叫声(聲) (jiānjiàoshēng) (声, shēng)
vi
尖声(聲)喊叫 (jiānshēng hǎnjiào)
vt
to scream sth (at sb)(冲(衝)着(著)某人)大喊某事 ((chòngzhe mǒurén) dàhǎn mǒushì)
to let out a scream发(發)出尖叫 (fāchū jiānjiào)
he's/it's a scream (inf) 他/这(這)滑稽透顶(頂)了 (tā/zhè huájī tòudǐng le)
to scream at sb大骂(罵)某人 (dà mà mǒurén)
to scream at sb to do sth大声(聲)喝叫某人去做某事 (dàshēng hèjiào mǒurén qù zuò mǒushì)
All related terms of 'scream'
I could scream!
我真想大叫！ wǒ zhēn xiǎng dàjiào!
to scream at sb
大骂(罵)某人 dà mà mǒurén
he's/it's a scream
( inf ) 他/这(這)滑稽透顶(頂)了 tā/zhè huájī tòudǐng le
to let out a scream
发(發)出尖叫 fāchū jiānjiào
to laugh/scream one's head off
狂笑/狂呼不已 kuángxiào/kuánghū bùyǐ
to scream at sb to do sth
大声(聲)喝叫某人去做某事 dàshēng hèjiào mǒurén qù zuò mǒushì
to scream sth (at sb)
(冲(衝)着(著)某人)大喊某事 (chòngzhe mǒurén) dàhǎn mǒushì
1 (verb)
Definition
to make a sharp piercing cry or sound because of fear or pain
If I hear one more joke about my hair, I shall scream.
Synonyms
cry
`You're under arrest!' he cried.
yell
He was out there shouting and yelling.
shriek
She shrieked and leapt from the bed.
bellow
He bellowed the information into the telephone.
screech
She was screeching at them.
squeal
Jennifer squealed with delight and hugged me.
shrill
bawl
They were shouting and bawling at each other.
howl
The baby was howling for her 3am feed.
holler (informal)
He hollered for help.
yelp
wrenching my ankle so hard that I yelped in pain
sing out
`See you,' Jeff sang out.
2 (verb)
Definition
(of a machine) to make a high-pitched noise
an airforce jet screamed over the town
Synonyms
thunder
the sound of fireworks thundering up above
rumble
Thunder rumbled over the Downs.
screech
The car wheels screeched.
3 (verb)
Definition
to be unpleasantly conspicuous
Synonyms
be conspicuous
clash
The red door clashed with the pink walls.
jar
The least bit of discord seemed to jar on his nerves.
shriek
1 (noun)
Definition
a sharp piercing cry or sound, esp. of fear or pain
Hilda let out a scream.
Synonyms
cry
Her brother gave a cry of recognition.
yell
He let out a yell.
howl
a howl of rage
wail
Wails of grief were heard as visitors filed past the site of the disaster.
outcry
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
shriek
screech
yelp
She gave a yelp of pain.
2 (noun)
the scream of brakes
Synonyms
screech
The figure gave a screech.
squeal
the squeal of piglets
At that moment there was a squeal of brakes.
shriek
a shriek of joy
3 (noun)
Definition
a very funny person or thing
(informal)
He's a scream, isn't he?
Synonyms
laugh (informal)
He was a good laugh and great to have in the dressing room.
card (informal)
riot (slang)
It was a riot when I introduced my two cousins!
comic
At that time he was still a penniless, unknown comic.
character (informal)
caution (informal)
sensation
wit
a man who fancied himself as a great wit
comedian
After a career as a comedian, he turned to serious drama.
entertainer
wag
My dad's always been a bit of a wag.
joker
He is, by nature, a joker, a witty man with a sense of fun.
hoot (informal)
Jana's a hoot, a real character.
dag (New Zealand, informal)
He does all these great impersonations – he's such a dag.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bawl
Definition
to shout loudly
They were shouting and bawling at each other.
Synonyms
shout,
call,
scream,
roar,
yell,
howl,
bellow,
bay,
clamour,
holler (informal),
raise your voice,
halloo,
hollo,
vociferate
in the sense of bellow
Definition
to make a loud deep cry like that of a bull
He bellowed the information into the telephone.
Synonyms
shout,
call,
cry (out),
scream,
roar,
yell,
howl,
shriek,
clamour,
bawl,
holler (informal)
in the sense of clash
Definition
(of colours or styles) to look ugly or incompatible together
The red door clashed with the pink walls.
Synonyms
not go,
jar,
not match,
be discordant
Synonyms of 'scream'
scream
Explore 'scream' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of comedian
Definition
a person who performs in comedy
After a career as a comedian, he turned to serious drama.
Synonyms
comic,
laugh (informal),
wit,
clown,
funny man,
humorist,
wag,
joker,
jester,
dag (New Zealand, informal),
card (informal),
joculator or (fem.) joculatrix
in the sense of comic
Definition
a comedian
At that time he was still a penniless, unknown comic.
Synonyms
comedian,
funny man,
humorist,
wit,
clown,
wag,
jester,
dag (New Zealand, informal),
buffoon,
joculator or (fem.) joculatrix
in the sense of dag
Definition
an amusing person
He does all these great impersonations – he's such a dag.
Synonyms
joker,
comic,
wag,
wit,
comedian,
clown,
kidder (informal),
jester,
humorist,
prankster
in the sense of holler
Definition
to shout or yell
He hollered for help.
Synonyms
yell,
call,
cry,
shout,
cheer,
roar,
hail,
bellow,
whoop,
clamour,
bawl,
hurrah,
halloo,
hollo,
huzzah (archaic)
in the sense of hoot
Definition
an amusing person or thing
Jana's a hoot, a real character.
Synonyms
laugh (informal),
scream (informal),
caution (informal),
card (informal)
in the sense of howl
Definition
to express (something) in a howl or utter such cries
The baby was howling for her 3am feed.
Synonyms
cry,
shout,
bell,
scream,
roar,
weep,
yell,
lament,
cry out,
wail,
shriek,
bellow,
bawl,
yelp,
ululate
in the sense of howl
Definition
a similar cry of pain or sorrow
a howl of rage
Synonyms
cry,
scream,
roar,
bay,
bell,
wail,
outcry,
shriek,
bellow,
clamour,
hoot,
bawl,
yelp,
yowl,
ululation
in the sense of jar
Definition
to have an irritating or unpleasant effect
The least bit of discord seemed to jar on his nerves.
Synonyms
irritate,
grind,
clash,
annoy,
offend,
rattle,
gall,
nettle,
jangle,
irk,
grate on,
get on your nerves (informal),
nark (British, Australian, New Zealand, slang),
piss you off (taboo, slang),
discompose
in the sense of joker
Definition
a person who jokes a lot
He is, by nature, a joker, a witty man with a sense of fun.
Synonyms
comedian,
comic,
wit,
clown,
wag,
kidder (informal),
jester,
dag (New Zealand, informal),
prankster,
buffoon,
trickster,
humorist
in the sense of outcry
Definition
a widespread or vehement protest
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
Synonyms
protest,
complaint,
objection,
cry,
dissent,
outburst,
disapproval,
clamour,
uproar,
commotion,
protestation,
exclamation,
formal complaint,
hue and cry,
hullaballoo,
demurral
Additional synonyms
in the sense of riot
Definition
a very amusing person or thing
It was a riot when I introduced my two cousins!
Synonyms
laugh (informal),
joke,
scream (informal),
blast (US, slang),
hoot (informal),
lark
in the sense of rumble
Definition
to make or cause to make a deep echoing sound
Thunder rumbled over the Downs.
Synonyms
roll,
boom,
echo,
roar,
thunder,
grumble,
resound,
reverberate
in the sense of shriek
Definition
to utter (words or sounds) in a high-pitched tone
She shrieked and leapt from the bed.
Synonyms
scream,
cry,
yell,
howl,
wail,
whoop,
screech,
squeal,
holler
in the sense of shriek
Definition
a high-pitched scream
a shriek of joy
Synonyms
scream,
cry,
yell,
howl,
wail,
whoop,
screech,
squeal,
holler
in the sense of sing out
Definition
to call out loudly
`See you,' Jeff sang out.
Synonyms
call (out),
cry (out),
shout,
yell,
holler (informal),
halloo
in the sense of squeal
Definition
to make a squeal
Jennifer squealed with delight and hugged me.
Synonyms
scream,
yell,
shriek,
screech,
yelp,
wail,
yowl
in the sense of squeal
Definition
a long high-pitched yelp
the squeal of pigletsAt that moment there was a squeal of brakes.
Synonyms
scream,
shriek,
screech,
yell,
scream,
wail,
yelp,
yowl
in the sense of wag
Definition
a humorous or witty person
My dad's always been a bit of a wag.
Synonyms
joker,
comic,
wit,
comedian,
clown,
card (informal),
kidder (informal),
jester,
dag (New Zealand, informal),
prankster,
buffoon,
trickster,
humorist,
joculator or (fem.) joculatrix
in the sense of wail
Definition
a prolonged high-pitched cry of pain or sorrow
Wails of grief were heard as visitors filed past the site of the disaster.
Synonyms
cry,
moan,
sob,
howl,
keening,
lament,
bawl,
lamentation,
yowl,
ululation,
weeping
in the sense of wit
Definition
a person possessing this ability
a man who fancied himself as a great wit
Synonyms
humorist,
card (informal),
comedian,
wag,
joker,
dag (New Zealand, informal),
punster,
farceur,
epigrammatist
Additional synonyms
in the sense of yell
Definition
to shout, scream, or cheer in a loud or piercing way