yell

1 of 2

verb

yelled; yelling; yells

intransitive verb

1
: to utter a loud cry, scream, or shout
2
: to give a cheer usually in unison

transitive verb

: to utter or declare with or as if with a yell : shout
yeller noun

yell

2 of 2

noun

1
2
: a usually rhythmic cheer used especially in schools or colleges to encourage athletic teams

Examples of yell in a Sentence

Verb We saw people yelling for help. I heard someone yelling my name. The crowd was yelling wildly. Noun the crowd gave a yell of approval
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
Elsewhere, constituents have yelled at Democratic members at town halls, pleading with them to be more forceful in speaking out against Trump. Riley Beggin, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025 During one of their exchanges, approximately two hours into walking, Haas abruptly got up from her desk and yelled in the student’s face, using swear words, the affidavit said. Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
So if some is a scream or a yell, all the facial expressions become hardened. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025 This led Jeff Bezos to openly ask who the next James Bond should be, and far and away there was an answer shouted with a deafening yell: Henry Cavill. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for yell

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English yellen, going back to Old English giellan, gyllan, going back to Germanic *gellan- (whence also Old High German kellen, gellen "to make a shrill sound," Old Norse gjalla "to scream"), perhaps a back-formation from *gullōn-, iterative derivative of *galan- "to sing, cry" — more at nightingale

Noun

Middle English yel, yelle, derivative of yellen "to yell entry 1"

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of yell was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yell. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

yell

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a loud cry, scream, or shout
2
: to give a cheer usually as part of a crowd
yeller noun

yell

2 of 2 noun
1
2
: a cheer used especially in schools or colleges to encourage athletic teams

More from Merriam-Webster on yell

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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