bleat

Ovine vocal sound

Bleat is the wavering cry of a sheep or goat: The lamb bleated for its mother.

By extension, to bleat is to speak in a weak, whining, or complaining manner: Stop bleating about how unfair it is.

The noun bleat describes both the animal sound and any similar plaintive utterance.

sheepsound

baa

Ovine vocalization

lambJuvenile sheep
eweFemale ovine
ramAdult male sheep

flock · goat · kid · ovine · woolly · pasture · meadow · barnyard · farmyard · shepherd

plaintive

mournful

Showing or feeling grief

pitifulArousing sorrowful contempt
quaveringShaking in tone
tremulousShaky from fear

woeful · pathetic · sorrowful · forlorn · wistful · keening · thin · reedy · weak · wavering

complain

whine

Complain in high pitch

gripeVoice minor displeasure
grumbleLow, discontented murmuring
moanLow vocal complaint

kvetch · whinge · carp · bellyache · snivel · grouse · fuss · nag · bemoan · protest

cry

wail

Prolonged mournful cry

whimperQuiet, plaintive cry
yelpBrief, shrill cry
mewlCry weakly, softly

squall · squeak · warble · trill · call · vocalize · utter · sound · noise · caterwaul

Categories

sheep soundsbaa, baaing, maa
Goatsgoat, doe, kid, buck, wether
animal soundsbark, meow, woof, moo, roar
deer huntingwhitetail, buck, hind, doe, red deer
onomatopoeiabang, bam, boom, buzz, clang
soundssound, beeps, listen, sounds, hear

Opposites

animal vocalization type

bleatroar

Loud, deep animal cry

bellow · thunder · boom · moo · growl

vocal intensity/power

bleatroar

Loud, deep animal cry

bellow · thunder · boom · shout · scream

emotional expression (complaint vs. approval)

Expression of approval

applaud · acclaim · cheer · rejoice · celebrate

Family

bleats, bleater, bleating, bleated, bleatings, bleaters

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G