scream

1 of 2

verb

screamed; screaming; screams

intransitive verb

1
a(1)
: to voice a sudden sharp loud cry
(2)
: to produce harsh high tones
b
: to make a noise resembling a scream
the siren screamed
c
: to move with great rapidity
2
a
: to speak or write with intense or hysterical emotion
b
: to protest, demand, or complain vehemently
c
: to laugh hysterically
3
: to produce a vivid startling effect

transitive verb

1
: to utter with or as if with a scream
"Use your mirror!" screamed her petrified bodyguard …Alan Coren
Fans in the mosh pit shook their fists and screamed her lyrics in unison.Neal Karlen
2
: to call (something) to mind very strongly and clearly
They may be a pain to carve, but few things scream Halloween quite like the iconic jack o'lantern.Matt Juul
There's something about Jane Austen novels, and especially Pride & Prejudice, that just screams fall reading to me.Kerry Jarema

scream

2 of 2

noun

1
: a loud sharp penetrating cry or noise
2
: a very funny person or thing

Examples of scream in a Sentence

Verb She screamed when the door suddenly slammed shut. This is so irritating I could scream. The crowd screamed with excitement. He was dragged, kicking and screaming, from the room. He screamed at her to stop. Sirens were screaming in the distance. Police cars screamed down the street. Newspaper headlines screamed about the spike in crime. Noun She let out a piercing scream. that new comedy is a scream
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Thousands of fans from all over the world tuned in to these unofficial livestreams every night of the tour, commenting, screaming, and searching for Swift Easter eggs together — and thus creating a sense of community and joy rivaled only by the vibes of an actual concert. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024 After the tour, Litton is believed to have walked towards the bathroom, which is when staff reportedly began to hear gunshots and screaming, the sheriff said. Nicole Acosta, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
This has been happening throughout the Broadway run, with screams during the balcony scene and audible reactions to the line readings. Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Nov. 2024 The screams eventually reach a crescendo, as video shows the shrieks getting gradually louder and louder until the group stopped. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scream 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English scremen; akin to Middle Dutch schreem scream

First Known Use

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scream was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near scream

Cite this Entry

“Scream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scream. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

scream

1 of 2 verb
1
: to cry out, sound, or utter loudly and shrilly
2
: to move with great speed
3
a
: to produce or give a vivid, startling, or alarming effect or expression
b
: to protest, demand, or complain forcefully
screamer noun

scream

2 of 2 noun
1
: a loud shrill long cry or noise
screams of terror
2
: a very funny person or thing

More from Merriam-Webster on scream

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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