YELL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does yell mean? 

• YELL (noun)
  The noun YELL has 2 senses:

1. a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

2. a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)

  Familiarity information: YELL used as a noun is rare.

• YELL (verb)
  The verb YELL has 2 senses:

1. utter a sudden loud cry

2. utter or declare in a very loud voice

  Familiarity information: YELL used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• YELL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

call; cry; outcry; shout; vociferation; yell

Context example:

the speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience

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

utterance; vocalization (the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "yell"):

blue murder (an extravagantly loud outcry)

bird; boo; Bronx cheer; hiss; hoot; raspberry; razz; razzing; snort (a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt)

yodel (a songlike cry in which the voice fluctuates rapidly between the normal voice and falsetto)

shouting; yelling (uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement)

battle cry; rallying cry; war cry; war whoop (a yell intended to rally a group of soldiers in battle)

whoop (a loud hooting cry of exultation or excitement)

scream; screaming; screech; screeching; shriek; shrieking (sharp piercing cry)

noise (a loud outcry of protest or complaint)

hosanna (a cry of praise or adoration (to God))

hoot (a loud raucous cry (as of an owl))

halloo (a shout to attract attention)

clamor; clamoring; clamour; clamouring; hue and cry (loud and persistent outcry from many people)

catcall (a cry expressing disapproval)

bellow; bellowing; holla; holler; hollering; hollo; holloa; roar; roaring; yowl (a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal))

Derivation:

yell (utter or declare in a very loud voice)

yell (utter a sudden loud cry)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

cry; yell

Context example:

a yell of pain

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

utterance; vocalization (the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "yell"):

complaint ((formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow)

Derivation:

yell (utter a sudden loud cry)

• YELL (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they yell    ... he / she / it yells   
Past simple: yelled   
Past participle: yelled   
-ing form: yelling   

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 "yell" is one way to...):

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

Verb group:

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

call (utter in a loud voice or announce)

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

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

Derivation:

yell (a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition)

yell (a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate))

yelling (uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement)

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 "yell" 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

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue yell

Derivation:

yell (a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition)

yeller (someone who communicates vocally in a very loud voice)

 Context examples 

‘It’s a lie!’ he yelled. ‘Come up and look!’

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

It was a dreadful cry that he gave—a yell which might have been heard down the street.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then suddenly, about five minutes later, there came a most horrible yell—the most dreadful sound, Mr. Holmes, that ever I heard.

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

“You see it, Watson?” he yelled.

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

Suddenly he yelled "Whoa!" at the dogs, and stopped.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He managed to struggle to his feet, and yelled out at them to have done with it and get it over.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“Get the pepper-box open!” yelled Mendoza, and Wilson sprang in to carry out his instructions, but was hit out again by a heavy drive on the chest.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The operation was performed amidst the fiercest yells and the most convulsive plunges.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He had heard him yell; and when he went to him found him lying on his face on the floor, all covered with blood. I must go at once....

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

A roar of cheering and of laughter broke from the rough archers and seamen at the sight, answered by a yell of rage from their pursuers.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)