creak

[ kreek ]

verb (used without object)

1. to make a sharp, harsh, grating, or squeaking sound.
2. to move with creaking.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to creak.

noun

1. a creaking sound.

creak

/ kriːk /

verb

1. to make or cause to make a harsh squeaking sound
2. intr to make such sounds while moving

   the old car creaked along

noun

1. a harsh squeaking sound

Derived Forms

• ˈcreaky, adjective
• ˈcreakingly, adverb
• ˈcreakiness, noun
• ˈcreakily, adverb

Other Words From

• creaking·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of creak¹

1275–1325; Middle English creken to croak, apparently back formation from Old English crǣcettan, variant of crācettan to croak

Word History and Origins

Origin of creak¹

C14: variant of croak , of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The track is alive with phantom creaks and a chilling atmosphere; it sounds like it was recorded in the attic of a haunted house.

From New York Times

It comes just weeks after millions were left without power for four days following a blackout caused by issues with the country's creaking energy infrastructure.

From BBC

Because, for all this week's haka hoopla, for all the tourists' dominant history, this is a New Zealand team that creak when their predecessors - with 34 wins from 45 previous meetings - didn't.

From BBC

Just the sunny day causing an old building to creak and groan, or something uncanny?

From BBC

I can hear the faint creaking of floorboards in my house yet when I’m in the middle of a robust three-way conversation, I feel like the odd man out.

From Salon

Related Words

• groan
• screech
• squeak