cheep

American  

[cheep] / tʃip /

verb (used without object)

1. to chirp; peep.

2. Chiefly South Midland U.S. to reveal or tell a secret (usually used in the phrasecheep it ).

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verb (used with object)

1. to express by cheeps.

noun

1. a chirp.

cheep British  

/ tʃiːp /

noun

1. the short weak high-pitched cry of a young bird; chirp

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verb

1. (intr) (of young birds) to utter characteristic shrill sounds

Other Word Forms

• cheeper noun

Etymology

Origin of cheep

First recorded in 1505–15; imitative

Example Sentences

As he leaned over a trap with a stick to demonstrate what happens when the mechanism is sprung, there was a sudden flutter and cheep by his shoulder.

From New York Times • Jun. 5, 2022

“Good putt, bud,” he said to Justin Rose after the Englishman’s uphill, six-foot birdie at the second hole entranced crowds so silent you could hear songbirds cheep.

From Washington Times • Sep. 27, 2014

He goes on: "You could whirl him round in the Hadron collider without getting a single cheep of remorse."

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2012

The phone suddenly goes into four spasms: kachink cheep.

From Slate • Oct. 7, 2011

The crickets and cicadas make a ceaseless, deafening buzz, coyotes cry mournfully in the distance, songbirds cheep and squawk at the first hint of dawn.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood