Definition

1. Noun:

   • A loud, harsh, and often grating cry: A squawk is a sharp, unpleasant sound, typically made by a bird, especially a parrot, chicken, or other fowl.
   • A loud, sharp complaint or protest: Informally, a squawk is a strong, often noisy, expression of objection or grievance.

2. Verb:

   • To utter a loud, harsh cry: To make a sharp, raucous sound, like that of a startled bird.
   • To complain loudly and stridently: To protest or object in a noisy, often indignant, manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The parrot let out a loud squawk when the phone rang.
  • His main squawk was about the sudden change in the schedule.

• Verb:

  • The chickens squawked in alarm as the fox approached the coop.
  • He squawked about the poor service to the manager for twenty minutes.

Advanced Usage

• "to squawk about/over something": to complain vociferously about a specific issue.

  • The customers were squawking about the price increase.

• "to squawk at someone": to direct a loud complaint or harsh sound toward someone.

  • The manager squawked at the staff for the mistake.

Variants and Related Words

• Squawker (n): A person or thing that squawks, especially a loud complainer.

  • He's known as the office squawker.

• Squawky (adj): Having a harsh, grating quality.

  • The old radio had a squawky sound.

Synonyms

• Screech: A loud, high-pitched, and unpleasant cry or sound.
• Complain: To express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Squawk out: To utter something in a harsh, abrupt manner.
  • The radio squawked out a warning message.

Related Idioms

• To have a squawk: To have a complaint or grievance.
  • If you have a squawk, please address it to customer service.

Noun

1. informal terms for objecting
   • I have a gripe about the service here
2. the noise of squawking
   • she awoke to the squawk of chickens
   • the squawk of car horns

Verb

1. complain
   • What was he hollering about?
2. utter a harsh abrupt scream