What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
wail
Example
The mother wailed in agony when she heard the news. [wailed: verb]
Example
The sound of the wailing wind kept me up all night. [wailing: gerund or present participle]
shriek
Example
The child let out a shriek when he saw the spider. [shriek: noun]
Example
She shrieked in pain when she stubbed her toe. [shrieked: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shriek is more commonly used than wail in everyday language. Shriek is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wail is less common and is often used in specific contexts, such as mourning or lamentation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between wail and shriek?
While shriek is typically associated with a more informal tone, wail is more formal and is often used in literary or poetic contexts to convey intense emotion or grief.
