yell

1 of 2

verb

ˈyel 

yelled; yelling; yells

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a loud cry, scream, or shout

2

: to give a cheer usually in unison

transitive verb

: to utter or declare with or as if with a yell : shout

yeller noun

yell

2 of 2

noun

1

: scream, shout

2

: a usually rhythmic cheer used especially in schools or colleges to encourage athletic teams

Synonyms

Verb

• howl
• scream
• screech
• shriek
• shrill
• squall
• squeal
• yelp

Noun

• cry
• holler
• hoot
• howl
• shout
• whoop
• yowl

Examples of yell in a Sentence

Verb

We saw people yelling for help.

I heard someone yelling my name.

The crowd was yelling wildly.

Noun

the crowd gave a yell of approval

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rapper Travis Scott was arrested early Thursday on a disorderly intoxication charge after allegedly yelling at people on a yacht in Miami Beach, Florida, police records show. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 20 June 2024

Ow told the judge that the father failed to perform his legal duty as a parent in conscious disregard for his son’s life, even closing a window near the couch as the boy yelled for help that could’ve alerted a neighbor to potentially help the child or call police. —Rosalio Ahumada, Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024

Noun

There were yells to keep the vote open as members rushed to fill out the green cards to change their vote. —Ben Jacobs, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 June 2024

On Saturday, the Grammy-winner was monologuing between songs at her Las Vegas residency show when a yell from the crowd caught her attention. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 2 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English yellen, going back to Old English giellan, gyllan, going back to Germanic *gellan- (whence also Old High German kellen, gellen "to make a shrill sound," Old Norse gjalla "to scream"), perhaps a back-formation from *gullōn-, iterative derivative of *galan- "to sing, cry" — more at nightingale

Noun

Middle English yel, yelle, derivative of yellen "to yell entry 1"

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing yell

• give (someone) a yell
• rebel yell
• yell your head off

Kids Definition

yell

1 of 2 verb

ˈyel 

1

: to utter a loud cry, scream, or shout

2

: to give a cheer usually as part of a crowd

yeller noun

yell

2 of 2 noun

1

: scream entry 2 sense 1, shout

2

: a cheer used especially in schools or colleges to encourage athletic teams