kREET

Kreet is a Dutch noun meaning a loud cry or shout, typically uttered to attract attention, express alarm, or convey strong emotion. The term can denote a single vocalization or, more broadly, a dramatic outcry. In everyday language, one might speak of een kreet van paniek or a kreet om hulp. In literature and journalism, kreet is used to convey immediacy and intensity, sometimes as a metaphor for a strong appeal or demand.

Origin and relation: kreet is a native Dutch word with Germanic roots. It is related to other Germanic terms for crying out and shares semantic space with roep (call), geschreeuw (shout), and alarmkreet (alarm cry). The word often emphasizes immediacy and urgency compared with softer terms for vocalization.

Usage and variants: In the Netherlands and Flanders, kreet is widely understood and used across formal and informal registers. Common alternatives include roep, which is a more general call, and geschreeuw, which refers to louder, more forceful shouting. The plural form of kreet is kreten.

See also: roep, geschreeuw, alarmkreet.