What does "shout" mean?
A loud burst of voice or voices; a violent and sudden outcry, especially that of a multitude expressing joy, triumph, exultation, anger, or great effort.
Shout
/ʃaʊt/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A loud burst of voice or voices; a violent and sudden outcry, especially that of a multitude expressing joy, triumph, exultation, anger, or great effort.
- Grammar: shout is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: call, call, cry, cry.
- Useful contrasts: calm talk, applaud, cooing.
- Usage evidence: Don't shout at the crying child. It only adds fuel to the fire.
How to use "shout"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "shout" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "shout" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "shout" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "shout" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "shout" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "call" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "shout", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A loud burst of voice or voices; a violent and sudden outcry, especially that of a multitude expressing joy, triumph, exultation, anger, or great effort.
"give out a shout"
- 2 A flat-bottomed boat, a barge (for carrying cargo, etc), now especially a light boat used in duck-shooting. UK, dialectal
"Although the density of the flour in particular would be less than that of the wheat, an equivalent 200 quarters of wheat per shout would not seem out of the question here. Again using Table 4, this suggests quite large boats carrying nearly 35 tons. If the 'Blackfriars 3' shout did indeed carry only 7.5 tons, then the shouts coming from Henley in 1345 were considerably bigger vessels, […]"
- 3 a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition wordnet
- 4 A round of drinks in a pub; the turn to pay the shot or scot; an act of paying for a round of drinks. Australia, New-Zealand, UK, slang
"“I′ll get my wine though,” taking out her wallet. “No. This is my shout,” holding up his hand as though to ward her money off."
- 5 A call-out for an emergency services team. Australia, UK, slang
"Yet another ambulance on a shout enters Parliament Square."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A greeting, name-check or other mention, for example on a radio or TV program. informal
"Next up the new single from Beyoncé, but first a shout to Barry Bloggins and his wife Belinda..."
- 7 A suggestion; an idea. informal
"Yeah, good shout. We might get an idea of what we're up against before we park up and do business."
Verb
- 1 To utter a sudden and loud cry, as in joy, triumph, exultation or anger, or to attract attention, to animate others, etc. intransitive
"Mom shouted to us to come sit at the table."
- 2 use foul or abusive language towards wordnet
- 3 To utter with a shout; to cry; to shout out transitive
"They shouted his name to get his attention."
- 4 utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy wordnet
- 5 To forcefully attract attention or proclaim one’s presence. figuratively, intransitive
"We walk’d together on the crown Of a high mountain which look’d down Afar from its proud natural towers Of rock and forest, on the hills— The dwindled hills! begirt with bowers And shouting with a thousand rills."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking) wordnet
- 7 To pay for food, drink or entertainment for others. Australia, New-Zealand, slang
""It appears to be the general opinion that it's my business to always shout - I will shout." He took up a hat and defiantly cast twopence into it."
- 8 utter a sudden loud cry wordnet
- 9 To post a text message (for example, email) in upper case, regarded as the electronic messaging equivalent of oral shouting. Internet
"Please don't shout in the chat room."
- 10 To treat with shouts or clamor. obsolete, transitive
"How would these men have shouted at the laying on of the last stone of the battlements"
Example
"Don't shout at the crying child. It only adds fuel to the fire."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "shout"?
Common synonyms include: call, call, cry, cry, holler, scream.
How do you use "shout" in a sentence?
Don't shout at the crying child. It only adds fuel to the fire.
How do you pronounce "shout"?
Pronounced /ʃaʊt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English shouten. Further origin uncertain. Possibly related to Middle English shooten (“to shoot (out)”) or from or akin to Old Norse skúta (“to chide, scold”), Old Norse skúti, skúta (“a taunt”). See also the second, rare sense of the verb scout (“to reject with contempt”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English shout(e), from Middle Dutch schûte (“boat or light ship”). Doublet of schuit, see there for more.