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 creaks at night and the shifting shadows along the bedroom wall intimate to a young person’s mind that the external world is uncontrollable.

From Washington Post

An iceberg splits with the same yawning creak as a tree beginning its fall to earth.

From Outside Online

You could hear the buildings creak and groan as they shook in their foundations.

From The Daily Beast

Garnache took the proffered chair, and sank down with creak and jingle to warm himself at the fire.

From Project Gutenberg

And this time Mrs. Armine noticed that the basket chair did not creak beneath his movement.

From Project Gutenberg

A gentle breath from heaven makes the basket decline a little and the ropes creak against the hardwood clinch blocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Joe agreed; the anchor was lost, and the men prepared for the first creak that would show that the tide was coming.

From Project Gutenberg

But her ears magnified a thousandfold each crackling of a log and each creak of the floor sent expectant shivers along her spine.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• groan
• screech
• squeak