noun
screech
skreech
Screech (noun) means a harsh, high-pitched cry or sound. Example: “The brakes let out a screech as the car stopped short.”
noun
1
A harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.
"The brakes let out a screech as the car stopped short."
verb
1
To make a harsh, high-pitched sound.
"The owl screeched from the treetop."
"Tires screeched around the corner."
How to use screech
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA harsh, high-pitched sound, or to make one.
Common pairings
screech to a halt
screech in pain
a piercing screech
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Word forms
- Plural
- screeches
- Third person singular
- screeches
- Past tense
- screeched
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The brakes let out a _____ as the car stopped short.
Etymology
An altered form of an earlier word, scritch, ultimately from Old English and Old Norse verbs meaning to shriek, likely imitative of the sound itself.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for screech
See all rhymes for screech →Frequently asked questions
What does “screech” mean?
The word “screech” means a harsh, high-pitched cry or sound. In plain terms, a harsh, high-pitched sound, or to make one.
How do you pronounce “screech”?
“Screech” is pronounced skreech ([skɹit͡ʃ] in IPA).
How do you use “screech” in a sentence?
Here is “screech” used in a sentence: “The brakes let out a screech as the car stopped short.”
What is another word for “screech”?
Words with a similar meaning to “screech” include screak.
What part of speech is “screech”?
Depending on how it is used, “screech” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “screech” come from?
The word “screech” comes from Old English. An altered form of an earlier word, scritch, ultimately from Old English and Old Norse verbs meaning to shriek, likely imitative of the sound itself.
How many meanings does “screech” have?
“Screech” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.
