What is shout? Pronunciation and usage in English

shout means . Learn how to pronounce and use shout through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of shout

shoutverb

/ʃaʊt/
Definition & pronunciation of shout

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "shout" in English. Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The most common pronunciation is:

  • /ʃaʊt/ (like "shot" but with a slightly more open "a")

Here's a phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

  • sh: /ʃ/ – This sound is like the "sh" in "ship" or "shoe." It's a voiceless postalveolar fricative.
  • ou: /aʊ/ – This is the "ow" sound, as in "cow" or "how."
  • t: /t/ – Just the standard "t" sound.

Putting it together: It's a quick, single syllable sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Focus on the "sh" sound: This is the most important part and often trips people up. Make sure you're producing the "sh" sound correctly.
  • The "ow" sound: Practice saying "cow" and "how" separately, then blend them together.
  • Don't add an extra syllable: It’s not "shout-ee." It’s just "shout."

Resources for Hearing it:

Do you want me to:

  • Break down the sounds in more detail?
  • Give you some words that contain the same sounds (like "ship" or "cow") to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word shout in English

Let's break down how to use the word "shout" in English. It has several different meanings and uses, so it's important to understand the context. Here's a breakdown:

1. To Speak Loudly:

  • Meaning: This is the most common use. It means to speak with a very loud voice, often with excitement or urgency.
  • Examples:
    • "He shouted his name across the field." (Loudly calling out)
    • "The crowd shouted their support for the team." (Loudly cheering)
    • "She shouted her agreement." (Loudly stating her support)

2. To Call Out (often to reprimand or warn):

  • Meaning: To say something loudly, often to draw someone's attention and express disapproval, anger, or a warning.
  • Examples:
    • "The teacher shouted at the student for not paying attention." (Expressing disapproval)
    • "He shouted a warning about the approaching storm." (Giving a stern alert)
    • "My dad shouted at me for breaking the vase." (Expressing anger and disappointment)

3. (Verb - phrasal verb) To Express Strong Emotion:

  • Meaning: To let out a loud expression of emotion, like joy, anger, or surprise. Often paired with words like "with," "out," or "at."
  • Examples:
    • "She shouted with laughter." (Letting out a loud burst of laughter)
    • "He shouted at the news." (Expressing shock or surprise loudly)
    • "They shouted at each other in anger." (Expressing anger loudly to one another)

4. (Noun - less common) A Loud Call:

  • Meaning: A loud cry or call, often used for attention or to express a strong emotion.
  • Examples:
    • "It was just a shout for help." (A loud cry seeking assistance)
    • "He let out a shout of joy." (A loud expression of happiness)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Form Meaning Example
Verb (speak) To speak loudly "He shouted his order."
Verb (call) To call out (reprimand/warn) "She shouted at the distraction."
Phrasal Verb To express emotion loudly "She shouted with excitement."
Noun A loud call "It was just a shout for help."

Tips for Using "Shout" Correctly:

  • Consider the tone: "Shout" generally implies a strong emotion or urgency.
  • Think about the context: Is someone simply speaking loudly, or are they calling someone out?
  • Vary your vocabulary: Sometimes "call out," "exclaim," "yell," or "cry out" might be a better fit, depending on the specific situation.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "shout"? (e.g., "I want to write a sentence about someone yelling," or "I'm trying to understand how to use it in a specific situation.")

Synonyms for the word shout

Idioms of the word shout

shout, etc. something from the rooftops
to talk about something in a very public way
  • He was in love and wanted to shout it from the rooftops.

Practice with vocabulary shout

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. In a bustling open-plan office, sometimes you have to __________ across the room to get your colleague's attention over the general chatter.
  2. The nervous intern could only __________ a few inaudible words when asked to present his findings to the board.
  3. Despite the danger, the lifeguard had to __________ warnings to the swimmers struggling against the strong current.
  4. After the emergency meeting, the CEO issued a formal __________ regarding the new safety protocols.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (Multiple answers may be correct)

  1. During the public town hall meeting, several residents began to __________ their disagreements with the proposed policy. a) whisper b) murmur c) shout d) yell
  2. The expert presenter was able to clearly __________ complex ideas in a way that all audience members could understand. a) mumble b) articulate c) utter d) proclaim
  3. When the fire alarm unexpectedly went off, the safety officer had to __________ instructions to evacuate the building quickly. a) gently suggest b) shout c) bellow d) calmly state
  4. After hours of deliberation, the jury decided to __________ their verdict to the judge. a) declare b) mutter c) state d) conceal
  5. In the chaotic trading floor environment, brokers often have to __________ their orders to be heard above the din. a) whisper b) scream c) shout d) mumble

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project manager spoke very loudly to make sure everyone in the noisy workshop heard the urgent announcement. (Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "shout".)
  2. During the demonstration, the activists raised their voices forcefully to protest the new environmental regulations. (Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "shout".)
  3. She expressed her strong disapproval of the proposed budget cuts in a very firm tone during the committee meeting. (Rewrite the sentence, without using any form of "shout".)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. In a bustling open-plan office, sometimes you have to shout across the room to get your colleague's attention over the general chatter.
  2. The nervous intern could only murmur a few inaudible words when asked to present his findings to the board.
  3. Despite the danger, the lifeguard had to shout warnings to the swimmers struggling against the strong current.
  4. After the emergency meeting, the CEO issued a formal statement regarding the new safety protocols.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. During the public town hall meeting, several residents began to c) shout, d) yell their disagreements with the proposed policy.
  2. The expert presenter was able to clearly b) articulate complex ideas in a way that all audience members could understand.
  3. When the fire alarm unexpectedly went off, the safety officer had to b) shout, c) bellow instructions to evacuate the building quickly.
  4. After hours of deliberation, the jury decided to a) declare, c) state their verdict to the judge.
  5. In the chaotic trading floor environment, brokers often have to b) scream, c) shout their orders to be heard above the din.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The project manager shouted to make sure everyone in the noisy workshop heard the urgent announcement.
  2. During the demonstration, the activists shouted forcefully to protest the new environmental regulations.
  3. She voiced her strong disapproval of the proposed budget cuts in a very firm tone during the committee meeting.

Comment ()