Definition

Verb: 1. To utter a harsh, abrupt scream: To make a loud, sharp, and often grating cry or sound, typically expressing alarm, pain, or distress.

Usage

The verb "skreigh" describes the act of emitting a sudden, piercing, and unpleasant vocal sound. It is often used for sounds made by birds, animals, or people in moments of extreme surprise, fear, or agony. It is a literary and somewhat archaic or dialectal term.

Examples

• The startled crow from the bare branch.
• She in terror when the door slammed shut in the dark.
• The old gate on its rusty hinges as he pushed it open.

Advanced Usage

• "To skreigh out": A phrasal form emphasizing the sudden, forceful nature of the cry.
  • He skreighed out a warning as the rock began to fall.

Variants and Related Words

• Skreik (verb): A variant spelling with the same meaning.
• Skriech (verb): Another dialectal variant, closely related to "screech."
• Screigh (verb): An alternate spelling.

Synonyms

• Screech: To utter a high-pitched, strident cry.
• Shriek: To utter a sharp, sudden, high-pitched cry.
• Squawk: To utter a loud, harsh cry, especially by a bird.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Skreigh out: To cry out harshly and suddenly.
  • The parrot skreighed out an imitation of the alarm clock.

Related Idioms

• (As) harsh as a skreigh: Used to describe a very grating, unpleasant sound.
  • The sound of the machinery was as harsh as a skreigh.

Verb

1. utter a harsh abrupt scream