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scream

(skrēm)

v. screamed, scream·ing, screams

v.intr.

1. To utter a long loud piercing cry, as from pain or fear.

2. To make a loud piercing sound: Jet planes screamed through the air.

3. To speak or write in an excited or fearful manner.

4. To have or produce a startling effect: The outlandish costume screamed with clashing colors.

v.tr.

To utter or say in a screaming voice or in an excited or fearful manner: The fans screamed their displeasure.

1. A long, loud, piercing cry or sound.

2. Informal One that is hilariously or ridiculously funny: The new play was a scream.

[Middle English screamen, possibly of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse scræma.]

screaming·ly adv.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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