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

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

With Bono keeping his Cliffs of Dover yelp in check, Zooropa scales down U2's anthemic-apostles side. —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 14 Aug. 2025

He is heard letting out a yelp and seen crouching down moments before the homeowners get to the door. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 19 July 2025

Verb

The timid guests walk in and out of the room, and at times have yelped, before eventually building up their bravery and getting in line. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025

One of the canines was wrapped in a spring protruding from a broken, threadbare couch, and yelping for help when cops arrived at the filthy apartment in the Belmont section of the Bronx on Aug. 4, officials said. —Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025

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"