squeal

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwēl 

squealed; squealing; squeals

intransitive verb

1

: to make a shrill cry or noise

2

a

: to tell someone in authority (as the police, a parent, or a teacher) about someone else's bad behavior or actions

How'd they find out? Someone must have squealed.

b

: complain, protest

transitive verb

1

: to express with or as if with a squeal

2

: to cause to make a loud shrill noise

squealing the tires

squealer noun

see also:

squeal on

squeal

2 of 2

noun

: a shrill sharp cry or noise

Synonyms of squeal

Verb

• talk
• squeak
• inform
• tell (on)

Examples of squeal in a Sentence

Verb

The car squealed to a stop.

He squealed the tires and drove off.

She squealed to the teacher.

“Let me go,” she squealed.

Noun

She heard the pig's squeals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There are also, naturally, Easter eggs and appearances from several of the TV show’s recurring characters and deep-cut references and lots of stuff that will make the true heads squeal. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026

There were no odd noises or squealing bearings to indicate the fan was having trouble. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

Noun

These threatened and endangered species are gentle, curious, and squeal-inducing levels of adorable, making a rare sighting all the more special and memorable. —Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 21 May 2026

The line had swelled into a throng, which broke into a collective squeal as stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya stepped out of a van to greet the crowd. —Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English squelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1747, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing squeal

• squeal on

Rhymes for squeal

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel

Kids Definition

squeal

1 of 2 verb

ˈskwē(ə)l 

1

: to make a long shrill cry or noise

2

a

: inform sense 2

squealed to the teacher

b

: complain sense 1, protest

3

: to utter with or as if with a squeal

squealer noun

squeal

2 of 2 noun

: a long shrill cry or noise