creaky

[ kree-kee ]

adjective

, creak·i·er, creak·i·est.

1. creaking or apt to creak:

   a creaky stairway.

2. run-down; dilapidated:

   a creaky shack.

3. Phonetics. (of the voice) produced by vibration of a small portion of the vocal cords while the arytenoid cartilages are held together, with little breath being released; laryngealized.

Other Words From

• creaki·ly adverb
• creaki·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of creaky¹

First recorded in 1825–35; creak + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Spaziani welcomed the handful of reporters who had shown up—mostly from local Pennsylvania outlets—into the couple’s cozy living room, which featured a jumble of mismatched frames on the walls and red woven rugs over the creaky, warm wood floors.

From Slate

My elbow barks every time I bicep curl; my SI joint is creaky from sitting all day, which makes my glutes and lower back tight.

From Los Angeles Times

Say what you will about the creaky medium of soap operas — they’re still on the air and still beloved by their devotees.

From Los Angeles Times

After their bullpen managed to hold up a creaky bridge to the ninth inning, reliever Yohan Ramírez failed to complete a six-out save on his third consecutive day pitching, giving up two runs in the ninth and the walk-off score on a throwing error to third.

From Los Angeles Times

His administration has also poured billions of dollars into the country’s creaky infrastructure to lure investment, and notably streamlined its vast welfare program, which serves around 60% of the population and which his party is leveraging to try to win over poor and disillusioned voters.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• battered
• broken-down
• dilapidated
• feeble
• flimsy
• frail
• infirm
• ramshackle
• rickety
• run down
• seedy
• shabby