yelp

1 of 2

noun

ˈyelp 

: a sharp shrill bark or cry (as of a dog or turkey)

also : squeal

yelp

2 of 2

verb

yelped; yelping; yelps

intransitive verb

: to utter a sharp quick shrill cry

dogs yelp

transitive verb

: to utter with a yelp

Synonyms

Verb

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

Examples of yelp in a Sentence

Verb

The dog yelped in pain.

yelped with surprise when everything fell off the closet shelf and onto his head

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hunters often make a series of five to seven yelps. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2024

Don’t be that guy who runs the same series of seven yelps all morning long. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2024

Verb

An accordionist spurred the crowd of about 150 to dance, clap or yelp bird caws in approval. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025

Yet there wasn’t some killer behind a mask or a scarred-up monster with a knife that caused James to yelp Christmas night in San Francisco. —Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, to boast, cry out, from Old English gielpan to boast, exult; akin to Old High German gelph outcry

First Known Use

Noun

1501, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1553, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing yelp

• give/make a yelp

Kids Definition

yelp

1 of 2 noun

ˈyelp 

: a sharp quick shrill bark or cry

the yelps of turkeys

yelp

2 of 2 verb

: to utter a yelp or a similar sound

he yelped in pain

heard the dog yelping again

yelper noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yelpen "to boast, cry out," from Old English gielpan "to boast, exult"