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 of yell

Verb

• scream
• shriek
• squeal

Noun

• shout
• howl
• cry
• scream

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

Skubal was last seen yelling profanities at magic wander Mike Vasil but would nevertheless fit in well in the Sox clubhouse and give Sox fans reason to believe this team can do something in October. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Brad starts yelling at the cheesehead guy again. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026

Noun

Their thunderous yells surely contributed to Spurs star Victor Wembanyama clanking two late free throws with the Knicks down one. — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 June 2026

There were yells of bro and dude. — Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026

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

Rhymes for yell

• bel
• belle
• cel
• cell
• dell
• dwell
• el
• ell
• fel
• fell
• gel
• gell

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