“Scream” vs. “Shout”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “scream” and “shout”

  • A scream is a loud, high-pitched cry of pain or fear, whereas a shout is a loud expression used for communication, demands, or attention-getting.
  • Screaming is usually associated with negative emotions, while shouting can be either positive or negative.
  • Screaming is typically considered spontaneous and uncontrollable, while shouting is a conscious and intended vocal expression.
Communicate naturally with Engram AI proofreader

What is the definition of “scream” and “shout”?

Scream
  • A loud and harsh cry made due to pain, fear, excitement, or anger.
  • An expression of high-pitched sound that comes from the throat.
  • It is an involuntary and spontaneous response that can be heard from a distance.
Shout
  • A high-volume vocal expression, usually used to get someone's attention or to convey emotions.
  • It can be deliberate and used to command or demand something.
  • It can also be a call for help, a cheer, or a celebration.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Scream” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Scream
196,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I let out a loud scream when I saw the spider on my pillow.
  2. The actors in the horror movie would scream every time something scary appeared.
  3. The injured man let out a scream of pain when the nurse tried to move him.
Shout
150,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I had to shout to get my friend's attention over the loud music.
  2. The coach would often shout at the players during practice to motivate them.
  3. I didn't mean to shout, but I was so frustrated with the situation.
Want to express yourself confidently?
Engram AI proofreader helps you
communicate naturally
An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.An illustration of a person writing freely on their laptop, using Engram.

Related articles