creak

[kreek]

verb (used without object)

1. to make a sharp, harsh, grating, or squeaking sound.

2. to move with creaking.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to creak.

noun

1. a creaking sound.

creak

/ kriːk /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a harsh squeaking sound

2. (intr) to make such sounds while moving

   the old car creaked along

noun

1. a harsh squeaking sound

Other Word Forms

• creakingly adverb
• creaky adjective
• creakiness noun
• creakily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of creak¹

1275–1325; Middle English creken to croak, apparently back formation from Old English crǣcettan, variant of crācettan to croak

Word History and Origins

Origin of creak¹

C14: variant of _croak , of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The S&P 500 is down about 5% from a recent late-October high, creaking under anxiety about whether massive investments in artificial intelligence will pay off for the economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A few scenes creak like the Tin Man’s joints, however.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It creaks as it swings, revealing a set of dusty concrete steps that ascend to a slightly ajar wooden hatch.

Read more on Literature

Then a creak, as of a bending tree branch, followed by an “Ouch!”

Read more on Literature

They swiveled around corners, marched up flights of stairs and down again, and passed through doors that creaked as if they had not been opened in years.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• groan 
• screech 
• squeak