creaky
AmericanOther Word Forms
- creakily adverb
- creakiness noun
Etymology
Origin of creaky
Explanation
Something that's creaky makes a groaning or scraping sound. If your front door is creaky, its hinges might need to be oiled. The sound of footsteps on a creaky wood floor, or climbing your creaky stairs, can be spooky at night. You can also describe a hoarse or high-pitched voice as creaky, and your grandfather might sigh, "Oh, these creaky old knees," when he stands up. Creaky describes the grating sound, and also the worn out or run-down nature of old things or people. It comes from creak, which is imitative — its sound suggests its meaning.
Vocabulary lists containing creaky
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some of these investments—particularly those meant to replace creaky equipment—seem like the types regulators may be inclined to greenlight even if inflation runs rampant or the economy enters a downturn.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Experts say Venezuela's oil infrastructure is creaky after years of mismanagement and sanctions.
From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026
Amanda, 62, said: "We're the fossils now and we want the chance to make some memories of our own before we get too creaky."
From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025
Instead, seated on the creaky rolling stool, squarely facing her, I asked to hear more about why she had come in, a concern I knew had something to do with not sleeping well.
From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025
Mama cried silently, rocking back and forth in the creaky folding chair.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
