squawk
squawk Lexical Profile
squawk Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A loud, harsh, or discordant cry made by a bird or a person.
"The startled parrot let out a loud squawk and flew to the top of its cage."
A loud, shrill, or vehement complaint or protest.
"The sudden tax increase was met with a chorus of squawks from local business owners."
• verb
To make a loud, harsh, or discordant noise (especially of a bird or a person).
"Seagulls squawked overhead as the fishing boats returned to the harbor."
To complain or protest loudly and vehemently.
"Several commuters began to squawk when the train was delayed for a second hour."
To transmit a specific identification code via an aircraft radar transponder.
"Air traffic control instructed the pilot to squawk the emergency code immediately."
• Rhymes for squawk
Word Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the early 19th century, the word is of imitative origin, likely influenced by earlier expressive words such as squeak and squall.