squeal
pronunciation
How to pronounce squeal in British English:
UK [skwi:l]
How to pronounce squeal in American English:
US [skwil]
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- Noun:
- a high-pitched howl
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- Verb:
- utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs
- confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
Word Origin
- squeal (v.)
- c. 1300, probably of imitative origin, similar to Old Norse skvala "to cry out" (see squall (v.)). The sense of "inform on another" is first recorded 1865. Related: Squealed; squealing. The noun is attested from 1747.
Example
- 1. I let out a girly squeal and tense up .
- 2. Do pigs really squeal a lot when they 're killed ?
- 3. He 'll find him and make him squeal .
- 4. Others may occasionally squeal as if in pain .
- 5. The boar 's note changed to a squeal .