1 a [no obj] : to suddenly cry out in a loud and high voice because of pain, surprise, etc.
▪ She screamed when the door suddenly slammed shut. ▪ This is so irritating I could scream. ▪ The crowd screamed with excitement. ▪ He was dragged, kicking and screaming, from the room.
b : to say (something) in a loud and high voice because you are angry, afraid, etc. [no obj] ▪ He screamed at/for her to stop. [+ obj] ▪ “Help!” he screamed. — often + out ▪ The general screamed out orders.
c [no obj] : to make a very loud, high sound
▪ Sirens were screaming in the distance. 2 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to move very quickly through a place while making a lot of noise
▪ Police cars screamed down the street. 3 [no obj] : to speak, write, or express something in a way that shows intense or uncontrolled emotion
▪ Newspaper headlines screamed about the spike in crime. 4 [+ obj] : to bring (an idea, word, etc.) into your mind very clearly
▪ The amount she paid in taxes was so low that it practically screamed “fraud.” [=it very strongly suggested that she had committed fraud] ▪ That big white dress screams “Marry me.”
▪ She screamed when the door suddenly slammed shut. ▪ This is so irritating I could scream. ▪ The crowd screamed with excitement. ▪ He was dragged, kicking and screaming, from the room.
b : to say (something) in a loud and high voice because you are angry, afraid, etc. [no obj] ▪ He screamed at/for her to stop. [+ obj] ▪ “Help!” he screamed. — often + out ▪ The general screamed out orders.
c [no obj] : to make a very loud, high sound
▪ Sirens were screaming in the distance.
▪ Police cars screamed down the street.
▪ Newspaper headlines screamed about the spike in crime.
▪ The amount she paid in taxes was so low that it practically screamed “fraud.” [=it very strongly suggested that she had committed fraud] ▪ That big white dress screams “Marry me.”
scream bloody murder (US) or Brit scream blue murder
informal : to scream, yell, or complain in a very loud or angry way
▪ His political opponents screamed bloody murder when he was appointed to office.
▪ His political opponents screamed bloody murder when he was appointed to office.
scream for [phrasal verb]
scream for (something) informal 1 : to demand or need (something)
▪ People are screaming for news about the virus. ▪ These policies just scream (out) for reform. [=these policies very badly need to be reformed] 2 : to be very suitable or appropriate for (something)
▪ Hot summer days like this just scream for ice cream and visits to the pool.
▪ People are screaming for news about the virus. ▪ These policies just scream (out) for reform. [=these policies very badly need to be reformed]
▪ Hot summer days like this just scream for ice cream and visits to the pool.




