Shriek Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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shriek

[ʃriːk ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

loud sound

A loud, high-pitched cry or sound, often expressing fear, pain, or excitement.

Synonyms

howl, scream, screech, yell.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shriek	High-pitched and often sudden sound, typically in moments of surprise, fear, or extreme emotion. She couldn't help but shriek when she saw the spider The sudden noise made everyone in the room shriek
scream	Loud, piercing sound, usually indicating fear, anger, or excitement; can be prolonged. She heard a scream coming from the alley The fans screamed in excitement when the band came on stage
yell	Loud, forceful shout, usually intended to get attention or express strong feelings such as anger or excitement. He had to yell over the loud music to be heard The coach yelled at the players to run faster
screech	High-pitched, harsh and unpleasant sound, often associated with machinery, brakes, or sudden frantic actions. The car's brakes screeched as it came to a sudden stop She let out a screech when she slipped on the ice
howl	Long, loud, and mournful sound, often made by animals like wolves or dogs; can also describe human sounds of pain or sorrow. The wolves began to howl at the full moon He let out a howl of pain when he stubbed his toe

Examples of usage

The shriek of a child in the dark haunted house sent chills down my spine.
She let out a piercing shriek when she saw the spider crawling towards her.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

loud sound

To utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry or sound.

Synonyms

howl, scream, screech, yell.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
shriek	A high-pitched, sharp cry, often of fear, excitement, or pain. She let out a shriek when she saw the spider The children shrieked in delight at the surprise party
scream	A loud, high-pitched noise, usually expressing strong emotions such as fear, anger, or excitement. It is a general term and can be used in a variety of situations. She screamed for help when she saw the intruder The fans screamed with excitement during the concert
yell	A loud, forceful shout, often used to get someone's attention or express strong emotions like anger or excitement. It generally lacks the high-pitched quality of other terms. He yelled at his friend to hurry up She had to yell over the noise to be heard
screech	A harsh, high-pitched sound, often unpleasant. Can describe a noise made by both living beings and objects. The car screeched to a halt The parrot let out a screech when it was startled
howl	A long, loud cry often associated with animals like wolves, but can also be used metaphorically for humans expressing sorrow, pain, or strong emotion. The wolf's howl could be heard in the distance He howled in agony after stubbing his toe

Examples of usage

The wind shrieked through the trees on the stormy night.
She shrieked in horror when she saw the car crash.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'shriek'

The word 'shriek' originated from Middle English 'screken', which is related to Old Norse 'skrækja' and Dutch 'schrikken', all meaning 'to frighten'. Over time, the word evolved to 'shriek' in modern English, retaining its core meaning of a loud, sharp cry or sound expressing fear or pain.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,995, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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16992 ping
16993 mackerel
16994 uninteresting
16995 shriek
16996 proscribed
16997 perchance
16998 bargains
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