screaming

/skriːm/ (bre, ipa) · [skrˈimɪŋ] /skriːm/ (ame, ipa) · [skrˈimɪŋ] /ˈskrē-miŋ/ (ame, mw)

screaming — verb

  • screamingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • screamings3rd person singular
  • screaminging-ing form
  • screamingedpast simple

1. to let out a very loud, high-pitched cry because of a sudden and powerful feelin

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to let out a very loud, high-pitched cry because of a sudden and powerful feeling such as terror, delight, or rage

例句

When Amani saw the spider on her pillow, she screamed and ran away.

collocation: scream and + [action]

The fans screamed with joy when their team scored the winning goal.

collocation: scream with joy/emotion

同義詞
  • shriek

    a sharper, higher-pitched sound, often from fear

  • screech

    a harsh, piercing sound, also used for tyres or birds

  • yell

    a loud shout, not necessarily high-pitched

  • howl

    a long, drawn-out cry, like a wolf or from deep pain

反義詞

文法句型

scream + with + emotion/noun

scream + at + person

scream + for + help/someone

scream + in + emotion

用法筆記

Often followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with 'at' (the target of anger), 'with' (the cause such as joy or laughter), 'for' (the person or thing needed), or 'in' (the emotion felt). Can also take a direct quotation, as in 'She screamed, "Get out!"'

常見錯誤

❌She cried when she saw the mouse.
✅She screamed when she saw the mouse.
💡'cry' produces tears; 'scream' is a loud high-pitched sound without tears.
❌He screamed to her across the room.
✅He shouted to her across the room.
💡'scream' implies fear or strong emotion, not merely calling from a distance.

2. used of a siren, engine, or moving vehicle to produce a continuous high-pitched

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

used of a siren, engine, or moving vehicle to produce a continuous high-pitched sound while travelling very fast

例句

The ambulance screamed past the traffic jam, heading towards the hospital.

collocation: scream past [obstacle]

The express train screamed through the small station at full speed, its horn blaring loudly.

同義詞
  • roar

    a deep loud sound, lower pitch than scream

  • screech

    a harsh, high-pitched sound, especially of brakes or tyres

  • whistle

    a clear high sound, less harsh than scream

文法句型

scream + past/through/down/along + [location]

用法筆記

Subject is almost always a siren, vehicle, or engine. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve a person or emotion.

3. of an alarm, whistle, or electronic device to produce a piercing, high-pitched n

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

of an alarm, whistle, or electronic device to produce a piercing, high-pitched noise

例句

The fire alarm screamed for ten minutes before the firefighters finally arrived.

collocation: alarm screams for [time]

Stefan's phone screamed with an emergency alert in the middle of the night.

同義詞
  • blare

    a loud, harsh sound, often of a horn or radio

文法句型

[device/alarm] + scream + for + [duration]

[device] + scream + with + [cause]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 — the subject is a device or machine, not a person, and no emotion is involved. Distinguish from sense 2 — the device is stationary, not moving at speed.

4. of a word, colour, headline, or image to be so large, bright, or forceful that i

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

of a word, colour, headline, or image to be so large, bright, or forceful that it immediately draws all attention to itself

例句

The newspaper headline screamed the news of the earthquake in giant red letters.

figurative: headline screams [news]

A bright yellow banner screamed the sale prices from the shop window.

同義詞
  • shout

    less common in this figurative use; 'shout' works for colours and text too

  • blare

    suggests a loud, unpleasant visual or audio effect

文法句型

[headline/word/image] + scream(s) + [message]

[headline/word/image] + scream(s) + out + [message]

[noun] + scream(s) + for + attention

用法筆記

Used figuratively. The subject is a written or visual element, never a person or animal. Frequently occurs with 'out': 'The mistakes scream out from the page.'

常見錯誤

❌The baby screamed for attention.
✅The baby cried for attention.
💡'scream for attention' in the figurative sense applies to objects and visuals, not to living beings.

screaming — adjective