English Explanatory Dictionary

squeal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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.
verb
  1. To scream with a shrill, prolonged sound.
  2. To make a squealing noise. (of an object)
  3. To give sensitive information about someone to a third party; to rat on someone.

Pronunciation

/skwiːl/ /skwil/ En-au-squeal.ogg

Word forms

squeal squeals squealing squealed

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”).

Synonyms

grass up snitch inform

Derived words

asqueal pig squeal squealdom squealer squealingly squeal like a pig squeal like a stuck pig squealy
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