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

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."

A loud complaint or objection.

"There was a squawk from the back row when ticket prices went up."

verb

To make a harsh, shrill cry.

"The seagulls squawked overhead as they fought over scraps."

To complain loudly or protest.

"Fans squawked online after the match was postponed."

How to use squawk

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA harsh, sudden cry — or to complain loudly about something.

Common pairings

squawk in protest a squawk of alarm

Word forms

squawked past tense, squawks plural, squawk plural, squawked plural, squawks singular, squawk singular, squawked singular, squawkest singular, squawkedst singular, squawketh singular

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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.

· First attested 1800

Class of 1800 squawk joined the language around 1800.

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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.