shriek
Shriek (noun) means a sharp, high-pitched scream or cry. Example: “A shriek echoed through the house when the lights went out.”
How to use shriek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden, piercing scream, or to make one — from fear, pain, surprise, or even laughter.
Word forms
shrieked past tense, shrieks plural, shrieks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ echoed through the house when the lights went out.
Etymology
From earlier English "shrick," related to Scandinavian words like Swedish skrika, ultimately imitative of the sound itself.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “shriek” mean?
The word “shriek” means a sharp, high-pitched scream or cry. In plain terms, a sudden, piercing scream, or to make one — from fear, pain, surprise, or even laughter.
How do you pronounce “shriek”?
“Shriek” is pronounced shreek (/ʃɹiːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “shriek” in a sentence?
Here is “shriek” used in a sentence: “A shriek echoed through the house when the lights went out.”
What is another word for “shriek”?
Words with a similar meaning to “shriek” include shrill.
What part of speech is “shriek”?
Depending on how it is used, “shriek” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “shriek” come from?
The word “shriek” comes from Swedish. From earlier English "shrick," related to Scandinavian words like Swedish skrika, ultimately imitative of the sound itself.
How many meanings does “shriek” have?
“Shriek” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sharp, high-pitched scream or cry.
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