Banshee
noun
In Irish folklore, a banshee is a female spirit who gives a loud, high cry to tell that someone in a family is going to die soon.
They say they heard the wail of a banshee late in the night, just before grandpa passed away.
Often appears as...
- wail of a banshee
- scream of a banshee
Usage tips
General,Literary
noun
In a less specific and more contemporary usage, banshee can refer to any loud, annoying or disruptive female voice or person.
She was shouting like a banshee during the entire match.
Often appears as...
- shout like a banshee
- scream like a banshee
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
noun
In Irish folklore, a banshee is a female spirit who gives a loud, high cry to tell that someone in a family is going to die soon.
They say they heard the wail of a banshee late in the night, just before grandpa passed away.
Often appears as...
- wail of a banshee
- scream of a banshee
Usage tips
General,Literary
noun
In a less specific and more contemporary usage, banshee can refer to any loud, annoying or disruptive female voice or person.
She was shouting like a banshee during the entire match.
Often appears as...
- shout like a banshee
- scream like a banshee
Usage tips
Informal, Disapproving
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Origin
Understand the Irish roots of banshee to appreciate its cultural significance in folklore tales and beliefs.
Many Irish tales feature the banshee as an omen of death.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
The banshee's wail is not just any cry; it's piercing and mournful, reflecting deep sorrow.
Her cry was so sorrowful it reminded me of the lament of a banshee.
Pro Tip 3/3Supernatural Presence
A banshee is a supernatural entity; imagine a ghost with a haunting presence when you hear or use this term.
The ghostly figure's wail in the night was like that of a banshee.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Origin
Understand the Irish roots of banshee to appreciate its cultural significance in folklore tales and beliefs.
Many Irish tales feature the banshee as an omen of death.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
The banshee's wail is not just any cry; it's piercing and mournful, reflecting deep sorrow.
Her cry was so sorrowful it reminded me of the lament of a banshee.
Pro Tip 3/3Supernatural Presence
A banshee is a supernatural entity; imagine a ghost with a haunting presence when you hear or use this term.
The ghostly figure's wail in the night was like that of a banshee.
Pro Tip 1/3Cultural Origin
Understand the Irish roots of banshee to appreciate its cultural significance in folklore tales and beliefs.
Many Irish tales feature the banshee as an omen of death.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Intensity
The banshee's wail is not just any cry; it's piercing and mournful, reflecting deep sorrow.
Her cry was so sorrowful it reminded me of the lament of a banshee.
Pro Tip 3/3Supernatural Presence
A banshee is a supernatural entity; imagine a ghost with a haunting presence when you hear or use this term.
The ghostly figure's wail in the night was like that of a banshee.
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Video examples
For the love of fangirls...
Psycho alert!" Then I watch as mainstream news outlets cover the story. I read them describe these "young banshees." I read one journalist say, "It's a commonly known fact since the age of the Beatles that there is nothing scarier in this world
Video examples
For the love of fangirls...
Psycho alert!" Then I watch as mainstream news outlets cover the story. I read them describe these "young banshees." I read one journalist say, "It's a commonly known fact since the age of the Beatles that there is nothing scarier in this world
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Neneh Cherry
Swedish Musician
Rip Rig & Panic was a milestone for me, and I've always been really thankful that I did that when I was 16. It saved me for when I suddenly became really successful later on. So even when my head's been spinning like a banshee, my feet still feel held down to the ground.
Quote examples
Mike Patton
American Musician
In earlier years, I was more of a clown with a big bag of tricks. I'd show up in the studio and kind of go, 'Well, what do you want? Do you want the screaming banshee or the howling owl?
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
If producing a regular column is living out loud, then keeping a daily blog is living at the top of your lungs. For a couple of months there, I was shrieking like a banshee.
Quote examples
Kat Dennings
American Actress
There aren't as many girl superheroes, but there are cool ones. Banshee, for instance.
Quote examples
Neneh Cherry
Swedish Musician
Rip Rig & Panic was a milestone for me, and I've always been really thankful that I did that when I was 16. It saved me for when I suddenly became really successful later on. So even when my head's been spinning like a banshee, my feet still feel held down to the ground.
Quote examples
Mike Patton
American Musician
In earlier years, I was more of a clown with a big bag of tricks. I'd show up in the studio and kind of go, 'Well, what do you want? Do you want the screaming banshee or the howling owl?
Quote examples
Ayelet Waldman
Israeli Novelist
If producing a regular column is living out loud, then keeping a daily blog is living at the top of your lungs. For a couple of months there, I was shrieking like a banshee.
Quote examples
Kat Dennings
American Actress
There aren't as many girl superheroes, but there are cool ones. Banshee, for instance.
Example 1 of 4
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