noun
squawk
skwawk
Squawk (noun) means a short, harsh cry, especially one made by a bird or a person in alarm. Example: “The parrot let out a squawk when the door slammed.”
noun
1
A short, harsh cry, especially one made by a bird or a person in alarm.
"The parrot let out a squawk when the door slammed."
"She gave a squawk of surprise when the phone rang."
2
A loud complaint or objection.
"There was a squawk from the back row when ticket prices went up."
verb
1
To make a harsh, shrill cry.
"The seagulls squawked overhead as they fought over scraps."
2
To complain loudly or protest.
"Fans squawked online after the match was postponed."
How to use squawk
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA harsh, sudden cry — or to complain loudly about something.
Common pairings
squawk in protest
a squawk of alarm
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Word forms
- Plural
- squawks
- Third person singular
- squawks
- Past tense
- squawked
- Archaic forms
- squawkest, squawkedst, squawketh
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The parrot let out a _____ when the door slammed.
Etymology
First recorded in the early 1800s, almost certainly an imitation of the harsh cry itself.
Class of 1800
squawk joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “squawk” mean?
The word “squawk” means a short, harsh cry, especially one made by a bird or a person in alarm. In plain terms, a harsh, sudden cry — or to complain loudly about something.
How do you pronounce “squawk”?
“Squawk” is pronounced skwawk (/skwɔːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “squawk” in a sentence?
Here is “squawk” used in a sentence: “The parrot let out a squawk when the door slammed.”
What part of speech is “squawk”?
Depending on how it is used, “squawk” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squawk” come from?
The word “squawk” dates back to around 1800. First recorded in the early 1800s, almost certainly an imitation of the harsh cry itself.
How many meanings does “squawk” have?
“Squawk” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, harsh cry, especially one made by a bird or a person in alarm.
