creaky

American  

[kree-kee] / ˈkri ki /

adjective

creakier, creakiest

1. creaking or apt to creak.

   a creaky stairway.

2. run-down; dilapidated.

   a creaky shack.

3. Phonetics. (of the voice) produced by vibration of a small portion of the vocal cords while the arytenoid cartilages are held together, with little breath being released; laryngealized.

---

Other Word Forms

• creakily adverb
• creakiness noun

Etymology

Origin of creaky

First recorded in 1825–35; creak + -y ¹

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.

Example Sentences

Each forehand slice from the Spaniard was another test of creaky hips, ankles, and knees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Experts say Venezuela's oil infrastructure is creaky after years of mismanagement and sanctions.

From Barron's • Jan. 11, 2026

I remember walking up the creaky stairs of the house to our room and feeling like I was walking somewhere with high elevation.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

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

I look around, taking in the sofas stacked with wilted cushions, the creaky hardwood floors, the dust particles swirling in the sunlight.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Related Words

• battered
• broken-down
• dilapidated
• feeble
• flimsy
• frail
• infirm
• ramshackle
• rickety
• run down
• seedy
• shabby