squeal
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//skwiːl//
- United States//skwil//
- Australia//skwiːl//
A high-pitched sound, such as the scream of a child or a female person, or noisy worn-down brake pads.
noun
- 1
A high-pitched sound, such as the scream of a child or a female person, or noisy worn-down brake pads.
- 2
The cry of a pig.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English squelen, probably from Old Norse skvala (“to squeal, bawl”), from Proto-Germanic *skwel- (“to chatter, babble, scream”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *skel-, from *kelh₁- (“to ring, resound, cry”). Compare Old Norse skval (“a squeal”, noun), Swedish skvallra (“to babble, chatter, tell on”).
verb
- 1
To scream with a shrill, prolonged sound.
The children squealed with delight while opening their Christmas presents.
- 2
To make a squealing noise. (of an object)
The brakes squeal terribly.
We continue through suburban Newcastle along the edge of the Tyne, before squealing around the tight curves onto the magnificent High Level bridge, which affords glorious views across Newcastle and along the river before arriving at journey's end.
- 3
slangTo give sensitive information about someone to a third party; to rat on someone.
You'd better not squeal on me to the cops.
Forms
- plural
- squeals
- past tense
- squealed
- past participle
- squealed
- present participle
- squealing
- third person singular
- squeals
squeal · A high-pitched sound, such as the scream of a child or a female person, or noisy worn-down brake pads.
squealing · The sound of one who squeals; a squeal.squeeze · To apply pressure (to something) from two or more sides at…squeezing · The act of pressing; compression.