noun
shriek
shreek
Shriek (noun) means a sharp, high-pitched scream or cry. Example: “A shriek echoed through the house when the lights went out.”
noun
1
A sharp, high-pitched scream or cry.
"A shriek echoed through the house when the lights went out."
verb
1
To let out a sharp, high-pitched scream or cry.
"She shrieked when the spider dropped onto her arm."
"The children shrieked with laughter on the rollercoaster."
How to use shriek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sudden, piercing scream, or to make one — from fear, pain, surprise, or even laughter.
Common pairings
shriek in terror
shriek with laughter
a piercing shriek
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shriek.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- shrieks
- Third person singular
- shrieks
- Past tense
- shrieked
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.
Related words
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include shriek:
