Meaning & use
yell
Last updated
UK/jel/
US/jel/
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitiveinformal
To shout very loudly, usually because of anger, excitement, fear or to be heard.
Grammar: Yell at someone shows anger; yell to someone calls out.
Patterns
- yell at someone
- yell to someone
- yell something
Please do not yell at your sister.
He yelled for help.
The coach yelled instructions from the sideline.
nouncountable
A loud shout.
Grammar: Countable: let out a yell.
Patterns
- let out a yell
- a yell of something
She let out a yell of surprise.
We heard a yell from the next room.
Word forms
| third person singular | yells |
|---|---|
| past tense | yelled |
| past participle | yelled |
| -ing form | yelling |
| plural | yells |
Common combinations
- yell at
- Do not yell at me.
- yell for help
- He yelled for help.
- yell out
- She yelled out the answer.
- let out a yell
- He let out a yell.
Synonyms and how they differ
- shout
- Shout is the neutral word and not necessarily angry.
- scream
- Scream is higher-pitched and often from fear.
- bellow
- Bellow is deep, loud and often angry.
Opposites
Word family
- yeller noun
- one who yells
Commonly confused: yell or yelp?
yell vs yelp
Yelp is a short sharp cry, as of a dog.
Practice
He ______ at the driver who cut him off.
Choose one answer.
Yell at shows loud anger.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “yell”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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