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Definition of screech

screech

/skriːtʃ/
screech
Plural:screeches
•
Adjective:screechy
•
Past Simple:screeched
•
Past Participle:screeched
•
Present Participle:screeching
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screech Lexical Profile

screech Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A loud, harsh, piercing cry or sound.

Example

"The sudden screech of brakes echoed down the quiet street."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• verb

1

To give a loud, harsh, piercing cry or sound.

Example

"Monkeys screeched in the canopy overhead as the hikers passed."

2

To move or come to a stop while making a loud, high-pitched scraping sound (especially of a vehicle or tires).

Example

"A delivery van screeched to a halt right in front of the crosswalk."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for screech
Antonyms
View all antonyms for screech

• Rhymes for screech

• Nearby Words

screamer
screaming
screamingly
screech
screech owl
screecher
screechy

Word Origin & Etymology

Originating in the 16th century as an alteration of the earlier Middle English 'scritch', of imitative origin.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Screech. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/screech
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