screech
pronunciation
How to pronounce screech in British English:
UK [skri:tʃ]
How to pronounce screech in American English:
US [skritʃ]
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- Noun:
- a high-pitched noise resembling a human cry
- sharp piercing cry
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- Verb:
- make a high-pitched, screeching noise
- utter a harsh abrupt scream
Word Origin
- screech (v.)
- 1570s, alteration of scritch (mid-13c., schrichen), possibly of imitative origin (compare shriek). Related: Screeched; screeching. Screech-owl is attested from 1590s (scritch-owl is from 1520s).
- screech (n.)
- 1550s, from screech (v.). Earlier scritch (1510s).
Example
- 1. This is not a book about her marriage , but about the demons that screech in her ears following its end .
- 2. Passing in the hall , seeing someone I haven 't seen before , a little screech , a little hug : you draw energy from your community .
- 3. He emitted a peculiar screech which startled everyone in the audience .
- 4. " The owl said : " the villagers all detest that I screech ; for that reason I am moving to the east .
- 5. But as harry climbed onto the windowsill there came a sudden loud screech from behind him , followed immediately by the thunder of uncle vernon 's voice .