What does squealed mean?
Squealed is the past tense of squeal, meaning to make a sharp, high-pitched cry or sound. It is especially associated with sudden feelings such as excitement, delight, fear, pain, or surprise, and it often appears in vivid narrative writing: a crowd squealed, a child squealed with joy, or someone squealed at a sudden shock. The word is more informal and emotionally colored than simply saying shouted or cried, because it highlights the pitch and intensity of the sound. In reported speech, it can also describe a mechanical object, such as a squealing brake or a squealing door, though the ordinary usage is human and strongly expressive.
verbPast tense of squeal: to make a high-pitched cry or sound, especially in excitement, fear, pain, or delight.
- To make a high-pitched cry or sound, especially in excitement, fear, pain, or delight.
"The children squealed with delight when the magician revealed the final trick."
"The audience squealed when the singer reached the high note."
"She squealed and jumped back when a branch cracked beneath her."
From squeal’s piercing cry to the word squealed: one consonant shift transforms a moment of excitement into a piercing vocal outburst.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does squealed come from?
The verb squeal belongs to a family of words involving high-pitched or squeaking sounds, including squeak and squeaky. Its spelling and pronunciation reflect an imitative origin: the word mimics the sharp, resonant quality of the sound it describes. Related forms such as squealer and squealing developed from the same verbal root.
Related word forms
How squealed is actually used
Squealed is informal and expressive, conveying a sudden, intense emotional reaction or a loud, high-pitched sound. It is commonly used in narrative descriptions of children, audiences, and excited or frightened speakers.
Easily confused with squealed
Squealed means to make a high-pitched cry, whereas sealed means closed or secured with a seal.