Added 9 October 2026
squeal
/skwiːl/ noun
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about squeal at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- A high-pitched howl.
verb
- Utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs.
- Confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure.
Origin
Inherited from Middle English squelen, probably from Old Norse skvala (“to squeal, bawl”), from Proto-Germanic *skwel- (“to chatter, babble, scream”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *skel-, from *kelh₁- (“to ring, resound, cry”). Compare Old Norse skval (“a squeal”, noun), Swedish skvallra (“to babble, chatter, tell on”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)