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
manner or manor?
Which version is correct?
to or too or two?
Which version is correct?
marshal or martial?
Which version is correct?
aid or aide?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
aide
aid
She was a close to the Prime Minister.
councillor or counsellor?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
councillor
counsellor
He was also a local .
Your score:
Word of the day
silver
Silver is a valuable pale-grey metal that is used for making jewellery and ornaments .
Latest Word Submissions
pupper
Feb 16, 2021
compact heel
Feb 16, 2021
fall on one's sword
Feb 14, 2021
Pendemic
Feb 14, 2021
9 words to sweep you into the world of Bridgerton
2021 is set to be the renaissance of Regency romance, as Netflix viewers indulge themselves in the delicious escapism of Bridgerton, a period romance with a modern twist.
Read more
TikTok’s Sea Shanties: Explore their vocabulary
Well, blow me down. Improbable as it may seem, there’s no denying that sea shanties are having a very real moment in the spotlight.
Near the end of 2020, a video from a young Scottish singer started to do the rounds on the social media platform TikTok.
Read more
Ten US political terms to baffle Brits
The United States will inaugurate a new president on January 20th when Joe Biden will be sworn in as the forty-sixth person to hold the office.
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
allowed or aloud?
Which version is correct?
role or roll?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
role
roll
Both sides have a to play.
broach or brooch?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
brooch
broach
They both wore large emerald es.
born or borne?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
borne
born
The injured were away in ambulances.
poor or pore?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
poor
pore
I feel sorry for the child.
Your score: