noun
squeal
skweel
Squeal (noun) means a loud, high-pitched cry or sound. Example: “The children let out a squeal of delight on the rollercoaster.”
noun
1
A loud, high-pitched cry or sound.
"The children let out a squeal of delight on the rollercoaster."
"The brakes gave a squeal as the car came to a stop."
verb
1
To make a loud, high-pitched cry, often from excitement, pain, or fear.
"She squealed when she saw the surprise party."
2
Informal: to inform on someone, especially to the police.
"One of the gang squealed to the cops to avoid a longer sentence."
How to use squeal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shrill cry — or, informally, to snitch on someone.
Common mistake
The "inform on someone" sense is slang and mainly used in crime contexts; don't use it in formal writing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
squeal on someone
squeal with delight
squeal in pain
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Word forms
- Plural
- squeals
- Third person singular
- squeals
- Past tense
- squealed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children let out a _____ of delight on the rollercoaster.
Etymology
From Middle English squelen, likely from Old Norse skvala, "to squeal or bawl."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for squeal
See all rhymes for squeal →Frequently asked questions
What does “squeal” mean?
The word “squeal” means a loud, high-pitched cry or sound. In plain terms, a shrill cry — or, informally, to snitch on someone.
How do you pronounce “squeal”?
“Squeal” is pronounced skweel (/skwil/ in IPA).
How do you use “squeal” in a sentence?
Here is “squeal” used in a sentence: “The children let out a squeal of delight on the rollercoaster.”
What is another word for “squeal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “squeal” include grass up and snitch.
What part of speech is “squeal”?
Depending on how it is used, “squeal” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squeal” come from?
The word “squeal” comes from Middle English. From Middle English squelen, likely from Old Norse skvala, "to squeal or bawl.".
How many meanings does “squeal” have?
“Squeal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a loud, high-pitched cry or sound.
