Scream — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈskrēm/

Meaning & Definition of Scream

Scream (verb)

  1. to voice a sudden sharp loud cry
  2. to produce harsh high tones
  3. to make a noise resembling a scream

Scream (noun)

  1. a loud sharp penetrating cry or noise
  2. a very funny person or thing

Scream (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cry out loudly and emotionally

    "we screamed when the roller coaster began its 30-foot plunge"

    similar: howl, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yell, yelp
    related: bay, caterwaul, keen, squawk, wail, yawp, yowl, bawl, call, cry, holler, shout, thunder, vociferate
    near: murmur, mutter, whisper

  2. to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound

    "you'll scream when you see the outfit that she's wearing"

    similar: break up, cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, hee-haw, laugh, roar, snicker, titter, twitter, split one's sides
    related: grin, smile
    near: bawl, blubber, cry, sob, weep, howl, squall, wail, yowl, bleat, pule, whimper, whine, sniffle, snivel, groan, moan, sigh

  3. to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

    "angry residents screamed that their neighborhood still hadn't been plowed a week after the snowstorm"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder (chiefly British), moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Scream (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. someone or something that is very funny

    "that new comedy is a scream"

    similar: hoot, knee-slapper, laugh, riot
    related: boner, howler, crack, gag, jest, joke, pleasantry, quip, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, caution, sight
    near: bummer, downer

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Scream

The most common words with a similar meaning to Scream:

Chiefly British: maunder
British: whinge
howl, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yell, yelp, break up, cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, hee-haw, laugh, roar, snicker, titter, twitter, beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Scream

Words with the opposite meaning of Scream:

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Scream

bay, bawl, call, cry, shout, thunder, vociferate, grin, smile, object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament, boner, howler, crack, gag, jest, joke, pleasantry

Near Antonyms of Scream

murmur, mutter, whisper, bawl, blubber, cry, sob, weep, howl, squall, wail, yowl, bleat, pule, whimper, whine, sniffle, snivel, groan, moan, sigh, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Word Forms of Scream

Inflections: screamed, screaming, screams

Origin & Etymology of Scream

Middle English scremen; akin to Middle Dutch schreem scream

First known use: 12th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Scream

Words & Phrases Containing Scream

scream bloody murder, scream blue murder, scream for, primal scream therapy

Frequently Asked Questions about Scream

What does "Scream" mean?

"Scream" means to voice a sudden sharp loud cry. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to voice a sudden sharp loud cry. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Scream"?

Other words for "Scream" include howl, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yell and yelp. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Scream" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Scream"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Scream". Common alternatives include howl, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yell, yelp, break up and cackle.

What is the opposite of "Scream"?

Antonyms of "Scream" include crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include murmur, mutter, whisper and bawl.

How do you use "Scream" in a sentence?

Examples of "Scream" in a sentence: "we screamed when the roller coaster began its 30-foot plunge"; "you'll scream when you see the outfit that she's wearing"; "angry residents screamed that their neighborhood still hadn't been plowed a week after the snowstorm".

Is "Scream" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Scream" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Scream" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Scream" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Scream"?

"Scream" is pronounced /ˈskrēm/.