To scream means to make a loud, high-pitched cry, usually because of strong emotion like fear, pain, excitement, or anger. When someone sees something frightening, they might let out a scream. Fans at a concert sometimes scream with joy when their favorite singer takes the stage. A child who touches a hot stove might scream in pain.

Screams happen when feelings become so intense that they burst out as sound. Unlike regular talking or even shouting, a scream is sharper and more piercing. It's the sound your body makes when emotions override your normal control. Horror movies use screams to signal danger, and people often scream on roller coasters when the drop catches them by surprise.

You can also use scream to describe something that stands out dramatically. Someone might wear a jacket in such a bright, clashing color that it screams for attention. A messy room might scream, “I need to be cleaned!” In this sense, something that screams practically announces itself without words, demanding to be noticed.