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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Scream: Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：shriek loudly (scream)

scream 🔊

/skriːm/

to make a loud, high-pitched cry because of fear, pain, or excitement.

Scream expression of fear in dark movie theater

shriek loudly 🔊

➕

/ʃriːk ˈlaʊdli/

To utter a sharp, piercing cry of high intensity, typically caused by fear, pain, or sudden excitement.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'scrimman', related to Dutch 'schreeuwen' and German 'schreien', likely imitative of the sound.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a cat SCREECHING loudly — the 'SC' sounds like a sharp, high-pitched noise.

📖 Example

When the roller coaster dropped suddenly, everyone screamed with a mix of fear and joy. 🔊 When the roller coaster dropped suddenly, everyone screamed with a mix of fear and joy.

🔗 Collocations

scream in terror – to cry out loudly due to extreme fear

scream for help – to shout loudly to call for assistance

scream with laughter – to laugh very loudly and uncontrollably

🔄 Synonyms

shriek (v.) – to make a sudden, high-pitched cry, often from fear or excitement

yell (v.) – to shout loudly, usually to attract attention or express strong emotion

howl (v.) – to make a loud, prolonged cry like a wolf, often in pain or anger

🚫 Antonyms

whisper (v.) – to speak very softly using one's breath rather than vocal cords

murmur (v.) – to speak in a low, indistinct voice

🌱 Derivatives

screamer (n.) – a person or thing that screams

screaming (adj.) – making a loud, high-pitched sound

📖 Cultural Story

In modern English, 'scream' is often associated with horror films and roller coasters, where it signifies extreme fear or excitement. Its etymology traces back to Proto-Germanic 'skrim-', an onomatopoeic root.

Meaning 2：screech harshly (scream)

scream 🔊

/skriːm/

to produce a loud, high-pitched noise, like an alarm or machine.

Scream sound from fire alarm siren on wall

screech harshly 🔊

➕

/skriːtʃ ˈhɑːrʃli/

To produce a loud, high-pitched, grating sound, typically from a machine or mechanical part under stress.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The car's brakes screamed as it came to a sudden stop on the wet road. 🔊 The car's brakes screamed as it came to a sudden stop on the wet road.

🔗 Collocations

brakes scream – the sound of brakes when applied suddenly or forcefully

alarm screams – a loud, piercing sound emitted by an alarm system

tires scream – the high-pitched noise of tires skidding on pavement

🔄 Synonyms

screech (v.) – to make a loud, harsh, shrill noise, like a car's brakes

squeal (v.) – to make a long, high-pitched cry or sound, often from friction

shriek (v.) – to make a sharp, piercing noise, like a whistle or machine

🚫 Antonyms

hum (v.) – to make a low, steady, continuous sound like a motor running smoothly

purr (v.) – to make a soft, low sound of contentment, like a cat

🌱 Derivatives

screaming (adj.) – producing or characterized by a loud, high-pitched noise