SCREAM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does scream mean? 

• SCREAM (noun)
  The noun SCREAM has 3 senses:

1. sharp piercing cry

2. a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry

3. a joke that seems extremely funny

  Familiarity information: SCREAM used as a noun is uncommon.

• SCREAM (verb)
  The verb SCREAM has 3 senses:

1. utter a sudden loud cry

2. utter or declare in a very loud voice

3. make a loud, piercing sound

  Familiarity information: SCREAM used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SCREAM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Sharp piercing cry

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

scream; screaming; screech; screeching; shriek; shrieking

Context example:

her screaming attracted the neighbors

Hypernyms ("scream" is a kind of...):

call; cry; outcry; shout; vociferation; yell (a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition)

Derivation:

scream (utter a sudden loud cry)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A high-pitched noise resembling a human cry

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

scream; screaming; screech; screeching; shriek; shrieking

Context example:

he heard the scream of the brakes

Hypernyms ("scream" is a kind of...):

noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))

Derivation:

scream (make a loud, piercing sound)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A joke that seems extremely funny

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

belly laugh; howler; riot; scream; sidesplitter; thigh-slapper; wow

Hypernyms ("scream" is a kind of...):

gag; jape; jest; joke; laugh (a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter)

• SCREAM (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they scream    ... he / she / it screams   
Past simple: screamed   
Past participle: screamed   
-ing form: screaming   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utter a sudden loud cry

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

call; cry; holler; hollo; scream; shout; shout out; squall; yell

Context example:

I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me

Hypernyms (to "scream" is one way to...):

emit; let loose; let out; utter (express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words))

Verb group:

call (utter in a loud voice or announce)

call out; cry; cry out; exclaim; outcry; shout (utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "scream"):

hollo (cry hollo)

hurrah (shout 'hurrah!')

halloo (shout 'halloo', as when greeting someone or attracting attention)

whoop (shout, as if with joy or enthusiasm)

pipe; pipe up; shriek; shrill (utter a shrill cry)

howl; roar; ululate; wail; yaup; yawl (emit long loud cries)

screak; screech; skreak; skreigh; squawk (utter a harsh abrupt scream)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue scream

Derivation:

scream (sharp piercing cry)

screamer (gooselike aquatic bird of South America having a harsh trumpeting call)

screaming (sharp piercing cry)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Utter or declare in a very loud voice

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

scream; yell

Context example:

You don't have to yell--I can hear you just fine

Hypernyms (to "scream" is one way to...):

shout (utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

screamer (gooselike aquatic bird of South America having a harsh trumpeting call)

screamer (a sensational newspaper headline)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make a loud, piercing sound

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Context example:

Fighter planes are screaming through the skies

Hypernyms (to "scream" is one way to...):

make noise; noise; resound (emit a noise)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence examples:

You can hear animals scream in the meadows
The meadows scream with animals

Derivation:

scream; screaming (a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry)

 Context examples 

This state lasted but for an instant; the scream was repeated, and I rushed into the room.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Presently the horses began to scream, and tore at their tethers till I came to them and quieted them.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

She uttered a terrified scream, and struggled with me with such strength that I doubt if I could have held her alone.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Come back!" she screamed. "I want to go, too!"

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

I was thrown flat on the wet deck, and before I could scramble to my feet I heard the scream of the women.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

She had screamed when he struck her, and that brought old Theresa down from the room above.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

‘Arthur!’ I screamed, ‘you villain! you thief!’

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A man's voice screamed once in horror and anguish.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Gretel was not idle; she ran screaming to her master, and cried: You have invited a fine guest!

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

The girl was taken to her room, still screaming and sobbing, while I made inquiries about Brunton.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)