squeal

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /skwiːl/ UK /skwiːl/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

verb
to make a high-pitched, loud sound, often due to excitement or fear

The child squealed with delight when she saw the puppy.
2

verb
to inform on someone, typically to authorities, often betraying a trust

He squealed to the police about the robbery plan.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make a high-pitched,... shriek screech yelpcry outscream

2 verb · to inform on someone,... tattle snitch rattell onblow the whistle

Opposites

whisper conceal

Etymology

Of imitative origin, recorded in Middle English squelen ('to cry out; to make a high-pitched sound') into Early Modern English squeal ('to make a shrill cry').

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# squeal

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /skwiːl/
**IPA (UK):** /skwiːl/

## Meanings
1. to make a high-pitched, loud sound, often due to excitement or fear
2. to inform on someone, typically to authorities, often betraying a trust

## Examples
- The child squealed with delight when she saw the puppy.
- He squealed to the police about the robbery plan.

## Synonyms
- shriek
- screech
- yelp
- cry out
- scream
- tattle
- snitch
- rat
- tell on
- blow the whistle

## Antonyms
- whisper
- conceal

## Etymology
Of imitative origin, recorded in Middle English squelen ('to cry out; to make a high-pitched sound') into Early Modern English squeal ('to make a shrill cry').

## AI Etymology
Squeal is traced through of imitative origin, recorded in Middle English squelen ('to cry out; to make a high-pitched sound') into Early Modern English squeal ('to make a shrill cry'). In current use it is a verb meaning "to make a high-pitched, loud sound, often due to excitement or fear". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. For dictionary purposes, the important point is the continuity between the older form, the route into English, and the present lexical sense.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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