Word
shriek
US/ˈʃɹik/
UK/ʃɹˈiːk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a very loud, high sound that someone makes when they are in pain or surprise. It is often a short, sharp cry from a person or an animal.
n. a sudden, sharp, and loud cry, typically expressing intense pain, fear, or surprise. Often associated with high-pitched vocalisations from humans or animals.
Examples
“The cat gave a loud shriek when the door slammed.”
“The sudden shriek of the brakes made everyone in the car jump in their seats.”
“The silence of the forest was shattered by the piercing shriek of a hawk circling high above the treetops.”
Examples
simple
“The cat gave a loud shriek when the door slammed.”
contextual
“The sudden shriek of the brakes made everyone in the car jump in their seats.”
complex
“The silence of the forest was shattered by the piercing shriek of a hawk circling high above the treetops.”
Real-World Examples
“As he put his arm down, it squashed my belly.”
She shrieked.” Etymology
From obsolete shrick (1567), shreke, variants of earlier screak, skricke (before 1500), from Middle English scrycke, from a North Germanic/Scandinavian language (compare Swedish skrika, Danish skrige, Icelandic skríkja), from Proto-Germanic skrīkijaną, skrik- (compare English screech). More at screech.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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