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Squeal vs Screech - What's the difference?

squeal | screech |

As nouns the difference between squeal and screech

is that squeal is a high-pitched sound, as a scream of a child, or noisy worn-down brake pads while screech is a high-pitched strident or piercing sound, such as that between a moving object and any surface.

As verbs the difference between squeal and screech

is that squeal is to scream by making a shrill, prolonged sound while screech is to make such a sound.

squeal

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A high-pitched sound, as a scream of a child, or noisy worn-down brake pads.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To scream by making a shrill, prolonged sound.
  • To give sensitive information about someone to a third party; to rat on someone.

    • Derived terms

    * squealer

    Anagrams

    *

    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