screaming
screaming — verb
1. the -ing form of the verb 'scream', used when someone is making a very loud, hig
the -ing form of the verb 'scream', used when someone is making a very loud, high-pitched sound because they are afraid, in pain, very angry, or very excited, or to describe an action that happens at the same time as the scream
The baby was screaming so loudly that Soraya could not hear the phone ring.
progressive tense: was + screaming + adverb (so loudly)
Adina woke up screaming after a terrible nightmare about a fire in her apartment building.
participle describing simultaneous action: woke up + screaming
A group of fans stood outside the theater, screaming with excitement as the actor arrived.
"Stop screaming at me," Christopher said calmly. "I can hear you perfectly well."
文法句型
scream + at + someone
scream + that-clause
scream + with + emotion (fear, pain, laughter, excitement)
wake up / run off / come + screaming (participle)
用法筆記
As a present participle, 'screaming' is commonly used in progressive tenses (was screaming, is screaming) and as a gerund subject (Screaming will not help). It also appears in participle phrases describing simultaneous action (ran off screaming, came running and screaming).
常見錯誤
screaming — adjective
1. so bright, unusual, or obvious that people cannot help noticing it
so bright, unusual, or obvious that people cannot help noticing it
The advertisement used screaming red letters to grab attention on the busy street.
screaming + color (red letters) — attributive use
Bao thought the bright orange suit was a screaming fashion statement at the formal dinner.
screaming + noun phrase (fashion statement)
The newspaper headline was a screaming declaration of victory, visible from across the shop.
Anna's bright new hairstyle was a screaming sign she wanted a fresh start.
- subtle
the opposite — quiet and not immediately obvious
文法句型
screaming + noun (color, headline, sign, advertisement)
用法筆記
This sense is often used with visual things like colors, headlines, signs, and fashion. It has a slightly critical tone — something screaming is so loud or obvious that it may be considered lacking in taste or subtlety.
常見錯誤
2. extremely amusing; causing people to laugh very hard and loudly
extremely amusing; causing people to laugh very hard and loudly
Élise told a screaming joke that had the whole class in tears from laughter.
screaming + joke (attributive)
The comedian's show was absolutely screaming — Aarav could barely breathe from laughing so much.
predicative: was absolutely screaming
Roya's impression of the head teacher was so screaming that even she burst out laughing.
We watched a screaming comedy film on Saturday night and laughed until our stomachs hurt.
- hilarious
the most common synonym; slightly less vivid than 'screaming'
- side-splitting
more vivid and colloquial; suggests literally painful laughter
- uproarious
suggests noisy, chaotic laughter from a group, not just an individual
文法句型
be + screaming
screaming + noun (joke, comedy, story, film)
用法筆記
This sense is common in informal British English but also well understood in American English. It is less common in formal writing. 'Screaming' as an adjective for 'very funny' often describes a performance, joke, or story rather than a person.
常見錯誤
3. extremely fast, powerful, or intense in a way that feels exciting or impressive
extremely fast, powerful, or intense in a way that feels exciting or impressive
The racing car sped past at a screaming speed, leaving a cloud of dust behind.
screaming + speed
Mauricio hit a screaming shot into the top corner of the goal.
screaming + shot (sports context)
Antonia played a screaming guitar solo that brought the entire crowd to its feet.
The train raced through the station at a screaming pace, shaking the whole platform.
- blistering
common alternative for speed — 'blistering pace'
- breakneck
suggests dangerously fast — 'breakneck speed'
- blazing
also used for speed and intensity — 'blazing fastball'
- gentle
slow and soft — the opposite of intense
文法句型
screaming + noun (speed, pace, shot, solo, guitar)
用法筆記
This sense is mostly used in sports commentary (a screaming shot, a screaming serve) and music reviews (a screaming guitar solo). It is rarely used in everyday conversation and sounds dated or dramatic in writing. The meaning overlaps with "blazing" (speed) or "blistering" (pace).