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to skirl

to skirl

9.9
To make a high, loud, wailing sound like bagpipes
  • verb
  • /skɜrl/
translation icon : gritar
  • The musician began to skirl on his bagpipe, drawing the attention of everyone nearby.

Examples

  • As the parade passed, the bagpipes skirled loudly, filling the air with an eerie melody.

  • Sitars and vinas were plucked, bansris and shahnais skirled, while mridangams and tabla were battered to a rhythm I could not quite catch.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • (In the upper register, it skirled.)

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Barb skirled.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • He was still reasonably warm in the shelter of the rocks, while the sleet skirled around the mountainside; and Zadny, the rascal, came almost but not quite within reach, seeking that warmth.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • It was a chilly night when the distant sound of bagpipes began to skirl across the valley.

Synonyms

to screech
vsto skirl
86 4.0

To make a loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is more of a long wailing tone than a short harsh noise
to squeak
vsto skirl
82 1.4

To make a short high sound when things move or rub together

is a long mournful wail rather than a quick sharp sound
to sing
vsto skirl
78 7.8

To make a high thin sound like a whistle

is a loud long wail rather than a musical ringing or whistle
to shriek
vsto skirl
72 2.9

To make a loud high sound often because of fear, pain or excitement

is a sustained wailing sound rather than a sudden emotional cry
to squeal
vsto skirl
61 3.0

To make a long, high sound like a pig or excited child

is a shrill sustained wailing sound rather than an animal cry
to pipe
vsto skirl
47 7.0

To make a high thin sound like a small bird or child

is a sustained loud wail from instruments, not a small voice
to whistle
vsto skirl
27 3.3

To move quickly while making a high whistling sound

is a sustained shrill wail, not a brief rapid whistling noise
to shrill
vsto skirl
3 4.8

To make a very high, sharp sound often as a cry

is a longer, more wailing tone rather than a piercing short sound
to howl through
vsto skirl
1 4.8

Wind or animals make a long loud crying sound as they move through a place

is a steady shrill wailing sound often from wind or instruments
to skreak
vsto skirl
9.9

To make a loud, high, harsh sound like a scream

is a prolonged shrill wail rather than a sharp screaming sound
to screak
vsto skirl
  • UK
9.9

To make a short, high, harsh sound like an owl or old gate

is longer and more musical, not just a sudden harsh squeal

How Shrill

to shriek
72 2.9
to skirl
9.9
to wail
84 3.2
to murmur
11 4.2

Surface Forms

skirl infinitive
skirled past
skirled past participle
skirling present participle
skirls third person singular

Etymology

Skirl as a verb also comes from Scots and copies a 'high, wailing noise' — similar to shrill — so to skirl is to make that sharp, crying sound, whether from pipes or from birds.