yell

verb
\ ˈyel How to pronounce yell (audio) \
yelled; yelling; yells

Definition of yell

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

yell

noun

Definition of yell (Entry 2 of 2)

2 : a usually rhythmic cheer used especially in schools or colleges to encourage athletic teams

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Other Words from yell

Verb

yeller noun

Synonyms for yell

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

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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
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Recent Examples on the Web: Verb His roommate, Alan Canfora, who was just 20 feet away behind a tree, yelled at him to stay down. Kerry Clawson, cincinnati.com, "Kent State shootings: Tired of telling his story, survivor refocused attention on student activism," 2 May 2020 Videos show people yelling and cheering as well as clapping across the city. Lauren M. Johnson, CNN, "New York City spent two minutes clapping for coronavirus first responders," 27 Mar. 2020 The woman and several others then surrounded the victim, yelling anti-Asian slurs. Erin Donaghue, CBS News, "Possible anti-Asian hate crime fueled by "bigoted notion" about coronavirus, New York governor says," 12 Mar. 2020 The noise, the atmosphere, people yelling through the glass. Jim Clarkand Michael Mcmahon, BostonGlobe.com, "Anthony Messuri helps top-seeded Arlington ice it against Framingham," 27 Feb. 2020 Many in the audience yelled their opposition following the vote to terminate the contract. Kristi Nix, Houston Chronicle, "Anthony Snipes releases statement in response to Missouri City contract termination," 27 Feb. 2020 Witnesses and prosecutors have said Christian was yelling racist and xenophobic slurs aimed at the teenage girls and condemning Muslims, Christians and Jews. oregonlive, "‘A human being knows when they’re mortally wounded’ -- trial witnesses describe aftermath of MAX train stabbings," 29 Jan. 2020 An Alabama superintendent apologized for his high school baseball players yelling slurs at a gay couple. Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press, "Mitch Albom: Sorry seems to be the easiest word in an election year," 19 Jan. 2020 One of them yelled at Munerlyn about disrespecting his wife, Leyton said. Mirna Alsharif, CNN, "Fourth person charged in connection to shooting death of Family Dollar security guard," 7 May 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The class went from a quiet space of soothing stretches, to resembling a battle arena with a soundtrack of blood-curdling yells. Carly Mallenbaum, USA TODAY, "From rowing to kendo: Why I learn new sports on trips and you should, too," 31 Dec. 2019 Articles often highlight when female CEOs curse, yell and show anger or bawdiness, because the shock value is higher than when male CEOs demonstrate these behaviours. Cait Munro, refinery29.com, "The Dream Of The Perfect Female Founder Is Dead — But That’s Okay," 13 Mar. 2020 Bauer let out a yell to celebrate the out as Barnhart, the catcher, pumped his fist. Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Eugenio Suárez blasts 2 home runs in Cincinnati Reds win, tied for MLB lead," 16 Sep. 2019 Chin’s first poem is a polemic against President Donald Trump, which elicits yells of support along with sharp laughs and applause. Abigail Abrams, Time, "'We Are Grabbing Our Own Microphones': How Advocates of Reproductive Justice Stepped Into the Spotlight," 21 Nov. 2019 At the work site, workers heard Knight yell for help. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, "Florida man kills pro-Trump boss after political argument, deputies say," 22 Jan. 2020 At first, the sound was discordant, a mixture of yells and whistles and the general chaos of the crowd. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, "Pain and Resentment and the Inspiring Retirement of Andrew Luck," 27 Aug. 2019 The misogynistic stereotype is that women’s very voices are grating and shrill, especially when raised in anything but a cheerleader-bright yell. Washington Post, "Women, once relegated to supporting roles, are becoming the protagonists of their own stories," 23 Oct. 2019 Parents should also refrain from lecturing their children about any behavioral problems following the yell-inducing incident. Elissa Strauss, CNN, "Yes, it is OK to yell at your kids, if done the right way," 24 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of yell

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for yell

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"

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Time Traveler for yell

Time Traveler

The first known use of yell was before the 12th century

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Statistics for yell

Last Updated

4 Jun 2020

Cite this Entry

“Yell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yell. Accessed 6 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for yell

yell

verb
How to pronounce yell (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of yell

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to say (something) very loudly especially because you are angry, surprised, or are trying to get someone's attention
: to make a sudden, loud cry

yell

noun

English Language Learners Definition of yell (Entry 2 of 2)

: a sudden, loud cry
US : a usually rhythmic shout or cheer used especially in schools or colleges to show support for sports teams

yell

verb
\ ˈyel How to pronounce yell (audio) \
yelled; yelling

Kids Definition of yell

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to speak, call, or cry out loudly (as in anger or to get someone's attention) I yelled goodbye from the door on my way out, but Mom didn't even hear me.— R. J. Palacio, Wonder

yell

noun

Kids Definition of yell (Entry 2 of 2)

: a loud call or cry : shout

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More from Merriam-Webster on yell

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for yell

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with yell

Spanish Central: Translation of yell

Nglish: Translation of yell for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of yell for Arabic Speakers

Comments on yell

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