yell

/jɛl/

/jɛl/

Other forms: yelled; yells

To yell is to call or cry out loudly. You might yell across a loud cafeteria to get your friend's attention, or yell at your sister for borrowing your favorite sweater.

Use the word yell as a verb or noun to describe the noise someone makes when they holler or shout. You can yell with enthusiasm, the way a crowd at a sporting event does, or in anger, like an irate driver yelling out the car window. A yell can express surprise, fury, or delight — but it's always loud. The Old English root is galan, "to sing."

Definitions of yell

1. noun

   a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
   synonyms: call, cry, outcry, shout, vociferation

   types:

   bellow, bellowing, holla, holler, hollering, hollo, holloa, roar, roaring, yowl

   a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)

   blue murder

   an extravagantly loud outcry

   catcall

   a cry expressing disapproval

   clamor, clamoring, clamour, clamouring, hue and cry

   loud and persistent outcry from many people

   halloo

   a shout to attract attention

   hoot

   a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)

   hosanna

   a cry of praise or adoration (to God)

   noise

   a loud outcry of protest or complaint

   scream, screaming, screech, screeching, shriek, shrieking

   sharp piercing cry

   whoop

   a loud hooting cry of exultation or excitement

   battle cry, rallying cry, war cry, war whoop

   a yell intended to rally a group of soldiers in battle

   shouting, yelling

   uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement

   yodel

   a songlike cry in which the voice fluctuates rapidly between the normal voice and falsetto

   Bronx cheer, bird, boo, hiss, hoot, raspberry, razz, razzing, snort

   a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt

   squall

   a loud and harsh cry

   type of:

   utterance, vocalization

   the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
2. noun

   a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)
   “a yell of pain”

   synonyms: cry

   types:

   complaint

   (formerly) a loud cry (or repeated cries) of pain or rage or sorrow

   exclamation

   a loud complaint or protest or reproach

   lament, lamentation, plaint, wail

   a cry of sorrow and grief

   type of:

   utterance, vocalization

   the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication
3. verb

   utter a sudden loud cry
   “I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me”

   synonyms: call, cry, holler, hollo, scream, shout, shout out, squall

   call

   utter in a loud voice or announce

   call out, cry, cry out, exclaim, outcry, shout

   utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

   types:

   hollo

   cry hollo

   hurrah

   shout `hurrah!'

   halloo

   shout `halloo', as when greeting someone or attracting attention

   whoop

   shout, as if with joy or enthusiasm

   pipe, pipe up, shriek, shrill

   utter a shrill cry

   howl, roar, ululate, wail, yaup, yawl

   emit long loud cries

   screak, screech, skreak, skreigh, squawk

   utter a harsh abrupt scream

   caterwaul, yowl

   utter shrieks, as of cats

   squall, waul, wawl

   make high-pitched, whiney noises

   type of:

   emit, let loose, let out, utter

   express audibly; utter sounds (not necessarily words)
4. verb

   utter or declare in a very loud voice
   “You don't have to yell--I can hear you just fine”

   synonyms: scream

   type of:

   shout

   utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)