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Screech vs Howl - What's the difference?

screech | howl |

As nouns the difference between screech and howl

is that screech is a high-pitched strident or piercing sound, such as that between a moving object and any surface while howl is the protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound.

As verbs the difference between screech and howl

is that screech is to make such a sound while howl is to utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.

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

    howl

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound.
  • A prolonged cry of distress or anguish; a wail.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.
  • * Drayton
    • And dogs in corners set them down to howl .
  • * Shakespeare
    • Methought a legion of foul fiends / Environ'd me about, and howled in my ears.
  • To utter a sound expressive of pain or distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail.
  • * Bible, Isaiah xiii. 6
    • Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand.
  • To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • Wild howled the wind.
  • To utter with outcry.
    • to howl derision