yelp

1 of 2

noun

ˈyelp 

: a sharp shrill bark or cry (as of a dog or turkey)

also : squeal

yelp

2 of 2

verb

yelped; yelping; yelps

intransitive verb

: to utter a sharp quick shrill cry

dogs yelp

transitive verb

: to utter with a yelp

Synonyms of yelp

Verb

• shriek
• scream
• squeal

Examples of yelp in a Sentence

Verb

The dog yelped in pain.

yelped with surprise when everything fell off the closet shelf and onto his head

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Clucks and yelps are essential, and anyone who can make these two calls can eventually call up a gobbler. —Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026

They are pinched into a bright, almost surgical nasality or burst loose into grand, sideways arcs, flaring out in a feral yelp. —Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 21 Dec. 2025

Verb

Hens make a combination of clucks and yelps when calling to a gobbler. —Bruce Brady, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026

Cantanucci’s property line is 72 feet away, but her hearing is such that the sound of balls bouncing and people yelping jumped the hedgerows. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, to boast, cry out, from Old English gielpan to boast, exult; akin to Old High German gelph outcry

First Known Use

Noun

1501, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1553, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing yelp

• give/make a yelp

Rhymes for yelp

• help
• kelp
• skelp
• whelp

Kids Definition

yelp

1 of 2 noun

ˈyelp 

: a sharp quick shrill bark or cry

the yelps of turkeys

yelp

2 of 2 verb

: to utter a yelp or a similar sound

he yelped in pain

heard the dog yelping again

yelper noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yelpen "to boast, cry out," from Old English gielpan "to boast, exult"