Shriek

Shriek is a high-pitched, piercing vocalization typically produced in moments of extreme emotion such as fear, pain, surprise, or excitement. As a noun and a verb, it refers to the sound itself and to the act of emitting such a cry. In common usage, shrieks are often described as shorter and sharper than a general scream, with a bright, rapid pitch change.

The term is long-standing in English and generally considered onomatopoeic, imitating the tone of the sound. It is linked to Germanic language traditions in which abrupt, loud cries are expressed with similar sound patterns.

Acoustically, shrieks are characterized by high fundamental frequencies and a quick change in pitch, sometimes accompanied by breathy or explosive qualities. They convey strong arousal and are frequently involuntary in sudden danger or pain, though shrieks can be produced deliberately in performance or alarm.

Cultural usage: In literature, film, and theater, shrieks function as dramatic devices to signal fear, surprise, or emotional intensity. In sound design, recorded shrieks or synthesized equivalents are used to heighten tension or indicate threat.

Non-human contexts: Many animals emit shriek-like vocalizations, including primates and certain prey species, as alarm calls or long-distance signals. The term also appears in discussions of vocal acoustics and emotion research.

See also: scream, wail, cry, onomatopoeia.