Shrill meaning

shrĭl
shrillest shrills
See word origin
Frequency:
Sharp or keen to the senses; harshly vivid.

Shrill colors.

adjective
8
2
High-pitched and piercing in tone or sound.

The shrill wail of a siren.

adjective
7
2
High-pitched and piercing.

She spoke in a shrill voice.

adjective
6
1
Unrestrained and irritatingly insistent.
adjective
5
2
To produce a shrill cry or sound.
verb
3
1
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Having or producing a high, thin, piercing tone; high-pitched.
adjective
2
0
Characterized or accompanied by shrill sounds.
adjective
2
0
(rare) In a shrill manner.
adverb
2
0
To make a shrill noise or sound.
verb
2
0
To utter shrilly.
verb
1
0
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Sharp or keen to the senses.
adjective
1
0
To make a shrill noise.
verb
1
0
A shrill sound.

noun
1
0
The definition of shrill is someone or something that is loud and high-pitched, or that is loud and forceful.

An example of a sound that would be described as shrill is a high-pitched, loud complaint.

adjective
1
1
Producing a sharp, high-pitched tone or sound.

A shrill fife.

adjective
1
1
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To utter in a shrill manner; scream.
verb
1
1
(archaic) Keen; sharp; biting; poignant.
adjective
1
1

Origin of shrill

  • Middle English shrille

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English shrille.

    From Wiktionary

Shrill Sentence Examples

  • Who gave orders? he said in his shrill, harsh voice.

  • Even the kitten gave a dreadfully shrill scream and at the same time Jim the cab-horse neighed loudly.

  • If alarmed they utter a shrill loud whistle, and rush down the burrow, but reappear after a few minutes to see if the danger is past.

  • Alarm calls are in the form of a shrill whistle.

  • "Here are strangers, mama!" cried the shrill and childish voice of some unseen person.

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Words near shrill in the Dictionary