First recorded in 1930–35
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Presenters remarked that he would eek out personal confessions and emotional reactions from his guests through his skilful questioning.
From BBC • Jun. 13, 2026
In news that is part "oh, cool!" and part "eek, spooky!"
From Salon • Mar. 28, 2024
Research on P-22’s body could show the firsthand effects of an urban setting on a mountain lion that managed to eek out his existence for more than a decade surrounded by humans, according to biologists.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2022
After the South surrenders in 1865, Simon assembles a ragtag band to eek out a living amid the devastation.
From Washington Times • Apr. 13, 2020
When they see us coming they make these screaming noises and run away, but you can tell they're not really scared, they just want to pretend like we're a monster or something, eek eek.
From "Freak The Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick
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.
