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Scream vs Shout - What's the difference?

scream | shout |

As nouns the difference between scream and shout

is that 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/ while shout is a loud burst of voice or voices; a vehement and sudden outcry, especially that of a multitude expressing joy, triumph, exultation, or animated courage.

As verbs the difference between scream and shout

is that 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 while shout is to utter a sudden and loud outcry, as in joy, triumph, or exultation, or to attract attention, to animate soldiers, etc.

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

    * *

    shout

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A loud burst of voice or voices; a vehement and sudden outcry, especially that of a multitude expressing joy, triumph, exultation, or animated courage.
  • (UK, Australia, New Zealand, slang) A round of drinks in a pub; the turn to pay the shot or scot; an act of paying for a round of drinks.
  • * 1984 , , page 290,
    • “I?ll get my wine though,” taking out her wallet.
    “No. This is my shout ,” holding up his hand as though to ward her money off.
  • * 2006 , (Lily Allen), Knock 'Em Out
    • Cut to the pub on a lads night out,
    Man at the bar cos it was his shout
  • * 2008 , George Papaellinas, The Trip: An Odyssey , re.press, Australia, page 6,
    • It was always my shout down the pub with Theo.
  • (UK, Australia, jargon, slang) A call-out for an emergency services team.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter a sudden and loud outcry, as in joy, triumph, or exultation, or to attract attention, to animate soldiers, etc.
  • * '', Act I, Scene II, 1797, George Steevens (editor), ''The Plays of William Shakespeare , Volume 7, page 15,
    • They ?houted thrice; what was the la?t cry for?
  • To utter with a shout; to cry; -- sometimes with out; as, to shout, or to shout out, a man's name.
  • (obsolete) To treat with shouts or clamor.
    • (Bishop Hall)
  • (colloquial) To pay for food, drink or entertainment for others.
    • I?ll shout you all a drink.
    He?s shouting us all to the opening night of the play.
  • * 1999 , Peter Moore, The Wrong Way Home: London to Sydney the Hard Way , page 301,
    • After shouting me a plate of noodles and limp vegetables, he helped me change money by introducing me to the stallholder who offered the best exchange rates.
  • * 2003 , Peter Watt, To Chase the Storm , Pan MacMillan Australia, unnumbered page,
    • ‘I have not seen my cousin Patrick in years,’ Martin answered defensively. ‘I doubt that, considering the way our lives have gone, an officer of the King?s army would be shouting me a drink in Mr O?Riley?s pub these days.’
  • * 2005 , George G. Spearing, Dances with Marmots: A Pacific Crest Trail Adventure , page 32,
    • Anyhow, he obviously bore no grudge against Kiwis, for he shouted me a beer and opened another one for himself, punctuating the operation with a spectacular and resounding fart that by all the laws of physical science should have left his trousers flapping in smouldering shreds.
  • * 2010 , Ivan Dunn, The Legend of Beau Baxter , HarperCollins Publishers, New Zealand, unnumbered page,
    • Truth is, I notice the other blokes who have been shouting me nodding among themselves and thinking they?d better get in the queue if I am buying. Not likely. I am out of there.
  • (Internet) To post a text message (for example, email) in upper case.
    • Please don't shout in the chat room.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * shout down * shout out

    See also

    * (l)

    Anagrams

    * * 1000 English basic words English internet slang English reporting verbs