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

One of the hosts yelled repeatedly about the results, complained about just about everything and dropped a lot of F-bombs. —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2026

Authorities alleged Lipscomb, who was drunk, belligerent and profane, came over next door to yell at the lawn care crew, including Starks, who were cutting the grass. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Noun

Everyone has their own lifting style — some channel anger and let out a guttural yell before touching the bar, others are into showmanship and encourage the crowd’s applause — but mine, while focused, is all smiles. —Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026

The dinner was noisy, the air filled with the men’s yells for more food. —Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 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