squeak

[skweek]

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 ).

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

/ skwiːk /

noun

1. a short shrill cry or high-pitched sound

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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeak¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of squeak¹

C17: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish skväka to croak

Example Sentences

“Two hours and I can’t get a squeak out of it.”

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Shelly squeaked, “With Fink’s attitude, none of us will be alive much longer!”

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A mouse squeaked and scurried out of sight, and then Roz had the barn to herself.

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He is buoyant and thinks that in a tight tussle with Reform UK, he can squeak a win.

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Athletic shoe company On is facing a lawsuit from customers who claim that its popular sneakers make a "noisy and embarrassing squeak".

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Related Words

• creak 
• screech 
• squeal