noun
peal
peel
Peal (noun) means a loud ringing sound, or a series of them, such as bells, thunder, or laughter. Example: “A peal of thunder rolled across the valley.”
noun
1
A loud ringing sound, or a series of them, such as bells, thunder, or laughter.
"A peal of thunder rolled across the valley."
"Peals of laughter came from the kitchen."
verb
1
To ring out loudly, or to sound in a loud burst.
"Church bells pealed across the town on New Year's Eve."
How to use peal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA loud burst of sound (bells, thunder, laughter), or the verb for making that sound.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "peel" (to remove skin from fruit) — they sound the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
peal of bells
peal of laughter
peal of thunder
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Word forms
- Plural
- peals
- Third person singular
- peals
- Past tense
- pealed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of thunder rolled across the valley.
Etymology
A shortened form of Middle English apel/appel, ultimately from Old French apel ("an appeal, or a ringing of bells") — related to the word "appeal".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for peal
See all rhymes for peal →Frequently asked questions
What does “peal” mean?
The word “peal” means a loud ringing sound, or a series of them, such as bells, thunder, or laughter. In plain terms, a loud burst of sound (bells, thunder, laughter), or the verb for making that sound.
How do you pronounce “peal”?
“Peal” is pronounced peel (/piːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “peal” in a sentence?
Here is “peal” used in a sentence: “A peal of thunder rolled across the valley.”
What part of speech is “peal”?
Depending on how it is used, “peal” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “peal” come from?
The word “peal” comes from Old French. A shortened form of Middle English apel/appel, ultimately from Old French apel ("an appeal, or a ringing of bells") — related to the word "appeal".
How many meanings does “peal” have?
“Peal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loud ringing sound, or a series of them, such as bells, thunder, or laughter.
