What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
screech
Example
The car screeched to a halt at the red light. [screeched: past tense]
Example
The owl let out a screech as it flew away. [screech: noun]
shriek
Example
She let out a shriek when she saw the spider on her pillow. [shriek: noun]
Example
The referee blew the whistle with a sharp shriek. [shriek: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shriek is more commonly used than screech in everyday language. Shriek is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while screech is less common and refers to specific types of sounds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between screech and shriek?
Both screech and shriek are informal words and are typically used in casual conversations or informal writing.
