1 A2 neutral
To shout loudly and urgently in order to summon someone or request something.
"The injured hiker screamed for help until someone finally heard her from the trail below."
inseparable
scream for
B1 informal inseparable transitive
To urgently demand or desperately need something or someone, either literally by screaming or figuratively.
In plain English
To shout loudly because you need something, or to need something so badly it is obvious to everyone.
What does "scream for" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To obviously and urgently need something — used metaphorically about situations, places, or things.
"This kitchen is screaming for a renovation — the fixtures haven't been updated in thirty years."
inseparable
3 B1 neutral
To demand something loudly and emotionally, out of panic, anger, or distress.
"The crowd screamed for justice outside the courthouse after the verdict was announced."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To scream (shout very loudly) for (requesting) something or someone.
Actually means
To shout loudly because you need something, or to need something so badly it is obvious to everyone.
Usage tip
Used both literally (a child screaming for attention) and metaphorically (a situation that screams for a solution). The metaphorical sense is very expressive and common in journalism and commentary.
Words that pair with "scream for"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
help attention mercy justice blood change
How to conjugate "scream for"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
scream for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
screams for
he/she/it
Past simple
screamed for
yesterday
Past participle
screamed for
have + pp
-ing form
screaming for
continuous
Hear "scream for" in the wild
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Other ways to say "scream for"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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