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Screech vs Scream - What's the difference?

screech | scream |

As nouns the difference between screech and scream

is that screech is a high-pitched strident or piercing sound, such as that between a moving object and any surface while scream is a loud, emphatic, exclamation of extreme emotion, usually horror, fear, excitement et cetera. Can be the exclamation of a word, but is usually a sustained, high-pitched vowel sound, particularly /æ/ or /i/.

As verbs the difference between screech and scream

is that screech is to make such a sound while scream is to cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech.

screech

English

Noun

  • A high-pitched strident or piercing sound, such as that between a moving object and any surface.
  • A harsh, shrill cry, as of one in acute pain or in fright; a shriek; a scream.
  • (qualifier) Newfoundland rum.
  • A form of home-made rye whiskey made from used oak rye barrels from a distillery.

    • Derived terms

    * screech bird * screecher * screech hawk * screech owl

    Verb

    (es)
  • To make such a sound.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2004 , date=April 15 , author= , title=Morning swoop in hunt for Jodi's killer , work=The Scotsman citation , page= , passage=AS THE residents of the quiet Midlothian housing estate prepared for the day ahead, the early-morning stillness was disturbed by the sound of screeching brakes and slamming doors.}}
  • (figuratively) to travel very fast, as if making the sounds of brakes being released
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=December 12 , author=Sid Lowe , title=Víctor Valdés epitomises Barcelona's bravery as Real Madrid falter , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=You've got to admire their balls. Real Madrid screeched after them: an entire herd, powerful and co-ordinated, salivating and breathing hard, murder in their eyes. So Barcelona moved the ball on, away from them. Forced back, it was played into Víctor Valdés, the goalkeeper, who slotted it to Carles Puyol, who gave it back again. }}

    Anagrams

    * Canadian English

    scream

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A loud, emphatic, exclamation of extreme emotion, usually horror, fear, excitement et cetera. Can be the exclamation of a word, but is usually a sustained, high-pitched vowel sound, particularly /æ/ or /i/.
  • (music) A form of singing associated with the metal and screamo styles of music. It is a loud, rough, distorted version of the voice; rather than the normal voice of the singer.
  • (informal) (Used as an intensifier)
    • We had a real scream of a time at the beach.
  • *

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cry out with a shrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, or shrill, loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.
  • To move quickly; to race.
    • ''He almost hit a pole, the way he came screaming down the hill.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Anagrams

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