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 or close ).

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. 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

Derived Forms

• ˈsqueaky, adjective
• ˈsqueaker, noun
• ˈsqueakily, adverb
• ˈsqueakiness, noun

Other Words From

• squeaking·ly 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

A squeaky garage door can make fast enemies, and squeaks aren’t the only issue that crop up.

From Popular-Science

By the time their three-month infancy was up, the Central American natives learned an average of 12 to 20 unique syllables—half or most of the 25 syllables adults use to form their squeaks and squeals.

From Popular-Science

They can add noise from both the wind and rattles and squeaks.

From Outside Online

The rest of the area is a blend of blue padded walls with maize trim, “Block M’s” and signature Jordan Jumpman insignia serving as the backdrop to the staccato sounds of basketballs and sneaker squeaks.

From Washington Post

Her only projects to persist through the pandemic have been conducted from afar, like using acoustic monitors to eavesdrop on the animals’ squeaks and swooshes.

From Science News

And while polls show 594 is likely to pass, 591 could squeak by as well.

From The Daily Beast

In the real world, the pro-B-2 case was a security-muffled squeak.

From The Daily Beast

Shapard, the pollster, predicts Lankford will just squeak by with a narrow majority.

From The Daily Beast

But I have no apologies for the audible squeals I unknowingly squeak out whenever I see her on screen.

From The Daily Beast

And it was the most that could squeak through a filibuster- hobbled Senate.

From The Daily Beast

On the second floor there was neither light nor sound—not so much as the squeak of a rat.

From Project Gutenberg

He could only hear the rush of eternal darkness past his ears, the thin squeak of his shadow brushing across the stars.

From Project Gutenberg

Punch wrung its neck, and if the choke or squeak which it gave were not real, I know nothing of reality.

From Project Gutenberg

Another near squeak was a bullet striking beside me from a glancing shot where I was standing, as I thought, in absolute safety.

From Project Gutenberg

At each of its revolutions the off hind-wheel gave a dry squeak like a pair of boots that has not been paid for.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• creak
• screech
• squeal