Definition

1. Noun:

   • A high-pitched, sharp, and often loud cry or sound: A "shriek" is a sudden, piercing vocalization, typically expressing a strong emotion like terror, pain, or extreme excitement. It can also describe a similar high-pitched, piercing sound made by an object.
   • A sharp, piercing cry: Specifically, a loud, shrill scream.

2. Verb:

   • To utter a high-pitched, sharp, and often loud cry or sound: To make a sudden, piercing scream or sound, often involuntarily due to fear, surprise, pain, or laughter.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She let out a shriek of terror when she saw the spider.
  • The shriek of the train's brakes echoed through the station.
  • His joke was met with shrieks of laughter from the audience.

• Verb:

  • The children shrieked with joy when they saw the ice cream truck.
  • "Watch out!" he shrieked as the car swerved.
  • The metal shrieked as it was bent out of shape.

Advanced Usage

• "to shriek with [emotion]": To scream in a way that expresses a specific intense feeling.

  • She shrieked with delight upon opening the gift.
  • The crowd shrieked with excitement as the band took the stage.

• "to shriek something": To say or shout something in a high-pitched, piercing voice.

  • "Get out!" she shrieked at the intruder.

Variants and Related Words

• Shrieking (adj/noun/verb, present participle): Making or characterized by a shriek.

  • The shrieking wind kept us awake all night.
  • We heard a terrible shrieking from the alley.

• Shrieky (adj, informal): Tending to shriek or having a shrill, high-pitched quality.

  • The singer's voice was a bit too shrieky for my taste.

Synonyms

• Scream: A long, loud, piercing cry expressing extreme emotion or pain.
• Screech: A harsh, high-pitched scream or sound.
• Squeal: A long, high-pitched cry or sound, often expressing pain, surprise, or delight.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Shriek out: To utter a shriek or to say something with a shriek.
  • He shrieked out a warning just in time.

Related Idioms

• Shriek like a banshee: To scream very loudly and shrilly. (A banshee is a female spirit in Irish folklore whose wail warns of death.)
  • When she saw the mouse, she shrieked like a banshee.

Noun

1. a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
   • he ducked at the screechings of shells
   • he heard the scream of the brakes
2. sharp piercing cry
   • her screaming attracted the neighbors

Verb

1. utter a shrill cry