Meaning & use
squealing
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“squealing” is a form of “squeal”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Making a long, high, sharp cry, often from excitement, fear, or pain.
Grammar: No object; often used in the continuous form: the children were squealing with delight.
Patterns
- squeal with delight
- squeal in pain
The kids were squealing with joy when the puppy ran into the room.
She was squealing in pain after stepping on the broken glass.
The pigs were squealing loudly in the barn.
verbintransitive
Making a loud, high noise, as a machine, tire, or animal does.
Grammar: No object; the subject is usually a thing that makes a high sound: the brakes squealed.
Patterns
- the brakes squeal
- a tire squeals
The car's tires were squealing as it turned the corner.
The old gate was squealing in the wind all night.
The microphone squealed when he moved too close to the speaker.
verbintransitiveinformaldisapproving
Telling the police or an authority about someone's wrongdoing, especially to avoid punishment yourself.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'on' plus a person: he squealed on his friends.
Patterns
- squeal on someone
- squeal to the police
He squealed on his friends to get a lighter sentence.
She refused to squeal to the police about what she had seen.
nouncountable
A long, high, sharp cry or sound.
Grammar: Countable; the plural is 'squeals': a squeal of delight, two squeals.
Patterns
- a squeal of delight
- a squeal of pain
There was a loud squeal from the back of the classroom.
The squeal of the brakes made everyone turn around.
Word forms
| third person singular | squeals |
|---|---|
| past tense | squealed |
| past participle | squealed |
| -ing form | squealing |
| plural noun | squeals |
Common combinations
- squealing with delight
- The children ran outside, squealing with delight.
- squealing in pain
- The dog was squealing in pain after the fall.
- the brakes squealing
- I heard the brakes squealing as the bus stopped.
- squealing on someone
- He was afraid of squealing on his coworkers.
- a high-pitched squealing
- A high-pitched squealing came from the old machine.
Synonyms and how they differ
- screeching
- Used more for harsh, loud sounds like tires or birds; 'squealing' is higher and often shorter, and can also suggest excitement.
- shrieking
- A very loud, sharp cry, usually from a person; 'squealing' is generally higher and can be playful or animal-like.
- whining
- A long, complaining high sound; 'squealing' is sharper and not necessarily complaining.
Word family
Commonly confused: squealing or squeaking? squealing or squalling?
squealing vs squeaking
A squeak is a short, high sound like a mouse or a new shoe; a squeal is longer and louder.
squealing vs squalling
Squalling means crying or screaming loudly and harshly, often of a baby; squealing is higher and can show delight.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'squealing' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Squeal with delight' is the fixed pattern, so 'with' is needed. 'Of', 'to', and a direct object without a preposition do not fit this expression.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “squealing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.