squeal

squeal — noun

1. A high-pitched sound, typically long and fairly loud, that comes from a person,

1.nounB1
Definition

A high-pitched sound, typically long and fairly loud, that comes from a person, an animal, or a machine such as car brakes.

Example

The pig gave a loud squeal when the farmer opened the gate.

collocation: a loud squeal

A sudden squeal from the kitchen told us the kettle had boiled over.

Common collocations
  • a loud squeal
  • a high-pitched squeal
  • a sudden squeal
  • squeal of delight
  • squeal of brakes
  • squeal of tyres
Synonyms
  • shriek

    sharper and more frightening; usually produced by a person rather than a machine

  • screech

    harsher and more unpleasant; common for metal or bird sounds

  • cry

    more general; does not specifically suggest a high pitch

Grammar Patterns

a squeal

squeal of [something]

Usage Note

Often followed by 'of' plus a noun identifying the source or cause of the sound, such as 'squeal of brakes' or 'squeal of delight'.

Common Mistakes

The door made a big squeal.
The door opened with a loud squeal.
Use 'loud' rather than 'big' to describe the volume of a squeal.

squeal — verb

Word family

  • squealer
    nounC1
  • squealing
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Squeal, shriek, screech, and scream all describe high-pitched noises, but they differ in source and feeling. Squeal is the most specific: it is the sound of a pig, a child's excited cry, or rubber against a road. Shriek is sharper and more alarming — someone might shriek in terror or pain. Screech is harsher and more grating, often used for metal scraping or an angry bird. Scream is the loudest and most intense of the four, typically produced by a person in fear, pain, or extreme excitement. You can say 'The children squealed with delight on the roller coaster,' but you would say 'The driver screamed when he saw the crash coming.'

squeal ↗shriekscreech ↗scream ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • squeal of brakes
  • squeal of delight
  • squeal of tyres
  • squeal of laughter

Prepositions

Etymology

GermanicMiddle EnglishEnglish

Squeal first appeared in English around the 1300s. It is an imitative word — its sound mimics the high-pitched noise that a pig makes. Similar words exist in other Germanic languages, such as the Dutch 'schreeuwen' meaning to cry out.