Definition of 'creak'
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present
tense creaks
, present participle creaking
, past tense, past participle creaked
verb
If something creaks, it makes a short, high-pitched sound when it moves.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
creak
Word Frequency
creak in British English
verb
2. (intransitive)
to make such sounds while moving
the old car creaked along
noun
3.
a harsh squeaking sound
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
creaky (ˈcreaky) adjective
creakily (ˈcreakily)
adverb
creakiness (ˈcreakiness)
noun
creakingly (ˈcreakingly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: variant of croak, of imitative origin
Word Frequency
creak in American English
verb intransitive
2.
to move slowly with or as with such a sound
noun
3.
such a sound
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
creak in American English
(krik)
transitive verb
3.
to cause to creak
noun
4.
a creaking sound
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
creakingly adverb
Word origin
[1275–1325; ME creken to croak, appar. back formation from OE crǣcettan, var. of crācettan to croak]Examples of 'creak' in a sentence
creak
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Trends of
creak
View usage for:
In other languages
creak
British English: creak
VERB /kriːk/
If something creaks, it makes a short, high-pitched sound when it moves.
The bed-springs creaked.
Nearby words of
creak
Source
Definition of creak from theCollins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
yoke or yolk?
Which version is correct?
broach or brooch?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
broach
brooch
It was difficult to the subject with him.
hole or whole?
Which version is correct?
blew or blue?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
blue
blew
She fixed her pale eyes on her father's.
rang or rung?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
rang
rung
He me at my mother's.
Your score:
Word of the day
ode
An ode is a poem, especially one that is written in praise of a particular person, thing, or event .
National Limerick Day
For National Limerick Day Collins Dictionary looks at the ground rules and patterns a limerick must follow, and discusses their origin.
Read more
7 Shakespearean words to add to your vocabulary
It’s English Language Day! The annual event where language lovers come together to celebrate the great William Shakespeare and a chance to celebrate multilingualism in English-speaking countries around the globe. We’re celebrating with this list of 7 Shakespearean words to weave into your vocabulary. Without further ado, let us go forth.
Read more
What is brain fog anyway?
Brain fog has been on people’s minds in more ways than one during the pandemic and after the recent lockdownversary. Whether you’re struggling to concentrate in meetings, finding creative thinking nearly impossible, or you’ve lost interest in cracking into that latest bestseller, brain fog has become more common amongst the population.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
hours or ours?
Which version is correct?
loot or lute?
Which version is correct?
elicit or illicit?
Which version is correct?
peak or peek?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
peak
peek
It happened at the of the morning rush hour.
flair or flare?
Which version is correct?
Your score: