scream
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to make a loud, high cry because you are hurt, scared, or excited.
v.to utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry as an expression of strong emotion or physical pain.
Simple“The children started to scream with delight when they saw the giant cake.”
In context“Witnesses reported hearing a woman scream for help just moments before the emergency services arrived at the scene.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to show a quality so clearly that it is impossible to ignore.
v.to be highly suggestive or indicative of a particular quality or style. Intransitive, often followed by 'of'.
Simple“Everything about that expensive car screams 'wealth'.”
In context“The minimalist decor and cold lighting scream corporate efficiency, leaving little room for personal expression in the workspace.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a loud, high sound made by a person or animal.
n.a loud, piercing vocalisation, typically high in pitch.
Simple“A sudden scream from the basement made everyone stop talking.”
In context“The silence of the night was shattered by a piercing scream that echoed through the narrow alleyways.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
n.a person or situation that is extremely funny.
n.a person, thing, or situation that is hilariously funny or entertaining.
Simple“You should meet my cousin; she is an absolute scream at parties.”
In context“The play was a total scream from start to finish, leaving the audience breathless with laughter.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a style of singing in rock or metal music that sounds rough and loud.
n.a vocal technique common in heavy metal and related genres involving distorted, high-intensity vocalisation.
Simple“The lead singer's powerful scream is the highlight of their new album.”
In context“The transition from melodic verses to a guttural scream is a hallmark of the band's experimental sound.”
Synonyms
“Children in school uniforms are seen screaming and rushing for an exit.”
“They scream when she references rumours she's back together with her ex, Ricky Alvarez.”
Inherited from Middle English scremen, borrowed from or cognate to Middle Dutch scremen (“to yell; shout”) and Old Norse skræma (“to terrify; scare”); compare West Flemish schreemen, Zealandic schreême (“to shout; yell; cry”), Swedish skrämma (“to spook; frighten”), Danish skræmme (“to scare”), West Frisian skrieme (“to weep”). Compare also Swedish skräna (“to yell; shout; howl”), Dutch schreien (“to cry; weep”), German schreien (“to scream”). Related to shriek, skrike.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.