scream

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun sharp piercing cry
  2. noun a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
  3. noun a joke that seems extremely funny

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English scremen, borrowed from or cognate to Middle Dutch scremen (“to yell; shout”) and Old Norse skræma (“to terrify; scare”); compare West Flemish schreemen, Zealandic schreême (“to shout; yell; cry”), Swedish skrämma (“to spook; frighten”), Danish skræmme (“to scare”), West Frisian skrieme (“to weep”). Compare also Swedish skräna (“to yell; shout; howl”), Dutch schreien (“to cry; weep”), German schreien (“to scream”). Related to shriek, skrike.

In classic literature

Synonyms

screaming, shriek, shrieking, screech, screeching

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