yell
yehl
Yell (verb) means to shout loudly, especially out of anger, excitement, or fear. Example: “She yelled across the car park to warn her friend about the bike.”
verb
1
To shout loudly, especially out of anger, excitement, or fear.
"She yelled across the car park to warn her friend about the bike."
"He yelled at the driver who cut him off."
"The kids yelled with excitement when the ice cream truck arrived."
2
To scold someone loudly and angrily.
"Dad yelled at us for leaving muddy boots all over the hall."
"The teacher never yells at pupils, even when the class is very noisy."
"Her boss yelled at her for missing the deadline."
noun
1
A loud shout, or a set phrase shouted as a chant.
"A sudden yell from the garden made everyone look out of the window."
"The cheerleaders practised their team yell before the match."
"The crowd let out a yell as the winning goal went in."
How to use yell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shout loudly, often because you are angry, excited, or scared.
Common mistake
"Yell at" someone usually implies anger; "yell to" someone can just mean shouting to get their attention across a distance.
Common pairings
yell at someone
yell for help
let out a yell
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like yell.
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
- yells
- Third person singular
- yells
- Past tense
- yelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ across the car park to warn her friend about the bike.
Etymology
From Old English giellan, meaning "to yell" or "to resound" — related to words for shrieking sounds across the older Germanic languages.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “yell” mean?
The word “yell” means to shout loudly, especially out of anger, excitement, or fear. In plain terms, to shout loudly, often because you are angry, excited, or scared.
How do you pronounce “yell”?
“Yell” is pronounced yehl (/jɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “yell” in a sentence?
Here is “yell” used in a sentence: “He yelled at the driver who cut him off.”
What part of speech is “yell”?
Depending on how it is used, “yell” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “yell” come from?
The word “yell” comes from Old English. From Old English giellan, meaning "to yell" or "to resound" — related to words for shrieking sounds across the older Germanic languages.
Is “yell” a common word?
“Yell” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “yell” have?
“Yell” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to shout loudly, especially out of anger, excitement, or fear.
What is the difference between yell and scream?
Yell means to shout loudly, often out of anger, excitement, or fear, while scream usually implies a higher-pitched, more piercing sound, often associated with pain or terror. Yell is more commonly used for raised, forceful speech, whereas scream emphasizes the sharpness of the sound itself.
What is the difference between yell and shout?
Yell and shout are very close in meaning, both describing loud vocal expression, but yell can carry a stronger connotation of anger or emotional intensity, especially in the sense of scolding someone loudly. Shout is often more neutral and can simply mean speaking loudly to be heard over distance or noise.
Can yell be used as a noun?
Yes, yell can be a noun referring to a loud shout or a set phrase chanted as a group, such as a sports team's yell. This noun usage is common in contexts like cheerleading or crowd chants.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include yell:
