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

At one point, the women indulge in a full-length a cappella rendition of a Ray Charles song, including all the vocal yelps and ad-libs. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2024

Each vocal run hits like a teardrop, every yelp a sniffle. —Dylan Green, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2024

Verb

This is often more effective than yelping at a gobbler in pressured areas, where a bunch of other hunters have been yelping at him for days on end. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 May 2024

Luckily, wild turkeys don’t all yelp sweetly and beautifully, either. —Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 1 May 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"