yell

1 of 2

verb

ˈyel How to pronounce yell (audio)
yelled; yelling; yells
Synonyms of yellnext

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

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Verb

Noun

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
During the protest, Lander was approached by individuals calling him a Zionist and yelling profanities. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 31 Aug. 2026 When the boy and his grandmother got into difficulty in the water, his siblings, ages 4 and 6, yelled to attract the attention of bystanders. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Noun
For the only time all season, Coach Tony Marandos sprung those creaky knees off the bench, stood up and let out a yell. — John Nogowski, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for yell

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of yell was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing yell

Rhymes for yell

See All Rhymes for yell

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Yell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yell. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

yell

1 of 2 verb
ˈyel How to pronounce yell (audio)
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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