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to peal

to peal

1 6.4
To ring loudly and clearly in a series, like church bells
  • verb
  • /piːl/
translation icon : repicar
  • Bells are pealing triumphantly.
  • bells peal
  • church bells pealed
  • cathedral bells pealed

Examples

  • As the bells at Lord's Chapel pealed three o'clock.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The bells pealed in loud, rapid halftones, a gentle waterfall reaching the sea.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • ♫ When that bell starts to peal

  • The mission bells pealed furiously.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Wedding bells peal.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Bells are pealing all over the city, and Arthur's looking mighty spiffy in his new suit.

    Blog text (18)
  • The church bells began to peal joyfully as the wedding ceremony started.

  • As the New Year approached, the city bells began to peal in celebration.

  • Suddenly, the fire alarm pealed, urging everyone to evacuate the building immediately.

Synonyms

to ring
vsto peal
430 1.0

To make a clear sound like a bell that can be heard far away

is specific to bells sounding clearly in a repeating series
to ring out
vsto peal
26 3.6

To make a loud clear sound that people can hear far away

is used for bells sounding clearly in a repeating series
to resound
vsto peal
11 5.3

To fill a room with a loud sound that echoes

shows bells sounding clearly in a repeated series rather than general echoes

How Loud

to resound
11 5.3
to peal
1 6.4
ring
203 1.0
to chime
61 3.0
to tinkle
15 3.9

Surface Forms

peal infinitive
pealed past
pealed past participle
pealing present participle
peals third person singular

Etymology

Peal comes from old words for a loud 'call' or 'ring'. So to peal as a verb is to ring out loudly and clearly, like church bells calling people together.