/ skriːm; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
scream (out) (in / with sth) to give a loud, high cry, because you are hurt, frightened, excited, etc.
SYN shriek :
[ v ]
He covered her mouth to stop her from screaming.
The kids were screaming with excitement.
People ran for the exits, screaming out in terror.
[ vn - adj ]
The baby was screaming itself hoarse.
2.
scream (sth) (out) (at sb) | scream (out) (for sth/sb) to shout sth in a loud, high voice because of fear, anger, etc.
SYN yell :
[ v speech ]
'Help!' she screamed.
[ v ]
Someone was screaming for help.
He screamed at me to stop.
[ vn ]
She screamed abuse at him.
[ v that ]
His sister screamed out that he was crazy.
3.
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ] to make a loud, high noise; to move fast, making this noise
SYN screech :
Lights flashed and sirens screamed.
The powerboat screamed out to sea.
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IDIOMS
- scream blue murder
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PHRASAL VERBS
- scream out (for sth)
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a loud high cry made by sb who is hurt, frightened, excited, etc.; a loud high noise :
She let out a scream of pain.
They ignored the baby's screams.
He drove off with a scream of tyres.
2.
[ sing. ] ( old-fashioned , informal ) a person or thing that causes you to laugh :
He's a scream.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Dutch .