shriek
gb/ʃɹˈik/ us/ʃɹˈik/
B1
English
~ 1700
felsikolt, sikít, sikoly, sikoltás, sikítás
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] shrieks [something]
She shrieked when she saw the spider.
Felsikoltott, amikor meglátta a pókot.
The children shrieked with excitement at the surprise.
A gyerekek izgatottságukban sikítoztak a meglepetés láttán.
He shrieked in pain after stubbing his toe.
The crowd shrieked as the band came on stage.
Learner examples
She shrieked when she saw the dog.
Felsikoltott, amikor meglátta a kutyát.
The boy shrieked with joy.
A fiú örömében felsikoltott.
I heard someone shriek outside.
They shrieked when the game started.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shriek' with 'shout'. 'Shriek' usually means a higher pitch and often stronger emotion.
Meaning
To make a loud, high cry
Collocations
shriek in fear
|shriek with laughter
|let out a shriek
|shriek in pain
Synonyms
scream (Scream is slightly broader and can be lower-pitched; shriek emphasizes a high pitch.)
Antonyms
whisper (Whisper is the opposite in volume and intensity, being soft and quiet.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make a very loud and high sound because you are scared, hurt, or excited.
To produce a loud, high-pitched cry, often from fear, pain, or excitement.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a shriek of [emotion]
A shriek of laughter came from the next room.
Sikoltó nevetés hallatszott a szomszéd szobából.
Her sudden shriek startled everyone.
Hirtelen sikolya mindenkit megijesztett.
We heard a shriek from the dark alley.
The bird let out a piercing shriek.
Learner examples
I heard a shriek from the kitchen.
Egy sikolyt hallottam a konyhából.
She gave a shriek when she saw the mouse.
Felsikoltott, amikor meglátta az egeret.
The baby made a shriek of joy.
There was a loud shriek outside.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'shriek' (noun) with 'scream' without noting the sharp, high quality of 'shriek'.
Meaning
A loud, high-pitched cry
Collocations
a shriek of laughter
|a shriek of terror
|let out a shriek
Synonyms
scream (Scream can be longer and less high-pitched; shriek is sharper and higher.)
Antonyms
silence (Silence is the absence of any sound, opposite to a sudden loud cry.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short loud sound with a very high pitch, made when someone is scared, hurt, or excited.
A sudden, loud, high-pitched cry made by a person or animal, often from fear, pain, or excitement.
Grammar
Dictionary form
shriek
IPA
GB/ʃɹˈik/
US/ʃɹˈik/
Syllables & stress
shriek (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (shriek)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: shriek
- Plural: shrieks
Verb
- Base: shriek
- 3rd Person Singular: shrieks
- Present Participle: shrieking
- Past: shrieked
Word family
Forms
shrieks
noun
shrieking
verb
shrieked
verb
Advanced or less common
shrieker
noun
Expressions
let out a shriek
1/lˈɛt ˈaʊt ə ʃɹˈik/
fixed phrase
Make a sudden loud high cry
To suddenly make a very loud and high sound.
Examples
- She let out a shriek when she saw the snake.
- He let out a shriek of delight.
shriek in terror
1/ʃɹˈik ˈɪn tˈɛɹɚ/
fixed phrase
Cry loudly and high from fear
To make a very loud and high sound because you are very afraid.
Examples
- He shrieked in terror when the lights went out.
- The crowd shrieked in terror as the fire spread.
shriek with laughter
1/ʃɹˈik wˈɪθ lˈæftɚ/
fixed phrase
Laugh very loudly and high-pitched
To laugh in a very loud and high voice because something is very funny.
Examples
- The children shrieked with laughter at the clown's tricks.
- She was shrieking with laughter by the end of the story.