squealing
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Emitting a high-pitched, sharp sound: Describing something that produces a shrill, often piercing noise, similar to the sound made by a mouse, a rusty hinge, or brakes. 2. Characterized by or producing such a sound: Used to characterize an object, person, or situation that is associated with this type of noise.
Usage and Examples
Describing a sound source:
- The squealing brakes alerted everyone on the street.
- We could hear the squealing piglets from the barn.
Describing the sound itself:
- A squealing noise came from the old elevator shaft.
- The children ran through the yard with squealing laughter.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative use for protest or complaint: Can describe a loud, high-pitched, and insistent complaint or protest.
- The squealing taxpayers demanded an explanation for the new fees. (This use personifies the taxpayers as making a noise like a squeal.)
Variants and Related Words
- Squeal (verb): To make a long, high-pitched cry or noise.
- The tires will squeal if you turn too sharply.
- Squeal (noun): A long, high-pitched cry or noise.
- The pig let out a loud squeal.
- Squeaky (adjective): Making a short, high-pitched sound.
- The squeaky floorboard gave away his position.
Synonyms
- Screeching: Implying a louder, more harsh and grating high-pitched sound.
- Shrieking: Often associated with a high-pitched sound made by a person or animal in fear or excitement.
- Piercing: Emphasizing the sharp, penetrating quality of the sound.
Antonyms
- Deep: Having a low frequency or pitch.
- Booming: Making a loud, deep, resonant sound.
- Muffled: A sound that is not loud or clear because it is blocked.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Squealing like a stuck pig: An idiom describing someone screaming or crying out very loudly, often in protest or pain.
- He started squealing like a stuck pig when he saw the bill.
Adjective
- having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge