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

Even negative responses like yelling can accidentally encourage it. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

The English bench erupted and players on the field yelled at the referee, pointing to their arms to indicate a hand ball. — Miami Herald, 14 July 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