squeak

American  

[skweek] / skwik /

noun

1. a short, sharp, shrill cry; a sharp, high-pitched sound.

2. Informal. opportunity; chance.

   their last squeak to correct the manuscript.

3. an escape from defeat, danger, death, or destruction (usually qualified by narrow orclose ).

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verb (used without object)

1. to utter or emit a squeak or squeaky sound.

2. Slang. to confess or turn informer; squeal.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or sound with a squeak or squeaks.

verb phrase

1. squeak by / through to succeed, survive, pass, win, etc., by a very narrow margin.

   They can barely squeak by on their income. The team managed to squeak through.

squeak British  

/ skwiːk /

noun

1. a short shrill cry or high-pitched sound

2. informal an escape (esp in the phrases narrow squeak , near squeak )

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verb

1. to make or cause to make a squeak

2. (intr; usually foll by through or by) to pass with only a narrow margin

   to squeak through an examination

3. informal (intr) to confess information about oneself or another

4. (tr) to utter with a squeak

Other Word Forms

• squeaker noun
• squeakily adverb
• squeakiness noun
• squeakingly adverb
• squeaky adjective

Etymology

Origin of squeak

1350–1400; Middle English squeken, perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Swedish skväka to croak

Example Sentences

A gate that squeaks when it pushes against the high grass.

From Literature

“Sure,” I say, trying hard to force the squeak from my voice.

From Literature

The badger sneered, as if this were a personal annoyance to him, and disappeared into the bushes, ignoring the chipmunk’s squeaks for help.

From Literature

In reality, they’d have to install these poles, and there’d be the squeaks, all the things that make it more like real life.

From Salon

A wild possum joined stuffed furry friends in an Australian airport gift shop this week, surprising travellers in an adorable case of hide and squeak.

From Barron's

Related Words

• creak
• screech
• squeal