creak

[ kreek ]
See synonyms for: creakcreaking on Thesaurus.com

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.

Origin of creak

1
1275–1325; Middle English creken to croak, apparently back formation from Old English crǣcettan, variant of crācettan to croak

Other words from creak

  • creak·ing·ly, adverb

Words that may be confused with creak

Words Nearby creak

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use creak in a sentence

  • A gentle breath from heaven makes the basket decline a little and the ropes creak against the hardwood clinch blocks.

    The Real Latin Quarter | F. Berkeley Smith
  • Joe agreed; the anchor was lost, and the men prepared for the first creak that would show that the tide was coming.

    The Chequers | James Runciman
  • But her ears magnified a thousandfold each crackling of a log and each creak of the floor sent expectant shivers along her spine.

British Dictionary definitions for creak

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

Origin of creak

1
C14: variant of croak, of imitative origin

Derived forms of creak

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012