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Word a Day

shrill

adjective · /ʃɹɪl/ · Level 3 · Advanced

What does shrill mean?

shrill (adjective): high-pitched and piercing.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How do you use shrill in a sentence?

How do you pronounce shrill?

/ʃɹɪl/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does shrill come from?

From Late Middle English schrille, shirle, shrille (“of a sound: high-pitched, piercing; producing such a sound”), possibly from the earlier shil, schille (“loud, resounding; high-pitched”).

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Test yourself: do you know “shrill”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “shrill” mean?

high-pitched and piercing

Right! That's what “shrill” means.

of the highest importance

Not quite: that's what paramount means.

capable of being foretold

Not quite: that's what predictable means.

lasting forever; unending

Not quite: that's what eternal means.

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