creak

verb \ ˈkrēk \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of creak

: to make a prolonged grating or squeaking sound often as a result of being worn-out; also : to proceed slowly with or as if with creaking wheels

the story creaks along to a dull conclusion

See creak defined for English-language learners

See creak defined for kids

Examples of creak in a Sentence

The old floorboards creaked under our feet.
The porch roof creaked with the heavy weight of the snow.

Recent Examples of creak from the Web

Slowly, his bedroom door creaked open, like a hand was lightly touching it.

— ilana strauss, The Cut, "What Is Sleep Paralysis, and How Do You Stop It?," 12 Apr. 2018
Today commuter lines are creaking, and more of the French accept the need for change.

— The Economist, "Railway strikes test Macron’s reforms," 7 Apr. 2018
And, a sea change is underway as the state’s radical gaming expansion creaks into motion with online gaming, mini-casinos, online lottery, and opportunities to gamble at airports and truck stops.

— justine mcdaniel, Philly.com, "Pa.'s gambling expansion is high-stakes for towns such as Bensalem, host to Parx Casino," 2 Apr. 2018
Outside, the paths are softened and hushed with ashy soil; inside, any boards that don’t creak have been daubed with paint, and the Abbotts must pick their way from one to the next, as if on stepping stones.

— dexter filkins, The New Yorker, "“You Were Never Really Here” and “A Quiet Place”," 30 Mar. 2018
With every bend and bump in the road, the wooden shelves inside the 27-year-old van creaked.

— jen fifield, The Christian Science Monitor, "Despite decline, bookmobiles connect and enrich communities," 29 Mar. 2018
Suddenly, a creaking sound from the splintering wood rent the air, and the big tower twisted toward the new passenger station.

— sandiegouniontribune.com, "Train tower toppled," 19 Mar. 2018
Age catches up, and joints creak, backs crack and, little by little, for even the sturdiest of entertainers, the times change.

— christopher borrelli, chicagotribune.com, "The rise and fall of the Chuck E. Cheese animatronic band," 9 Feb. 2018
This is simply an acknowledgment that the legal system is creaking, says Mr Masumoto.

— The Economist, "A startling amount of land in Japan has no official owner," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'creak.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of creak

Middle English creken to croak, of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1583

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

creak

noun

Definition of creak

: a rasping or grating noise

Examples of creak in a Sentence

the creak of a floorboard

Recent Examples of creak from the Web

And with the top up, there’s the occasional creak and groan.

— steve siler, Car and Driver, "2017 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS PDK Automatic," 16 Feb. 2018
The tester had an occasional creak when transitioning driveways or angled roads, possibly at the rear seatback or beneath at the battery tray.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE: A 'Young Sheldon' genius of midsize sedans," 26 Jan. 2018
The wooden deck creaks, the water fizzes, and the wind howls through the hood of my jacket.

— matthew bremner, Slate Magazine, "Shifting Current," 24 July 2017
There are at least no squeaks or creaks here, which is good, but the phone feels hollow.

— ron amadeo, Ars Technica, "HTC U11 Life hands on—A cheap ($349!) imitation of the U11," 2 Nov. 2017
The trees that are standing creak as the wind pushes them around.

— the new york times, New York Times, "Hurricane Irma: ‘A Low Howl,’ ‘Tearing Through the Trees,’ ‘Like Waiting for a Monster’," 10 Sep. 2017
Like the slap of the waves and the creak of the masts, this was the sound of sailing.

— andrea sachs, Philly.com, "On a Windjammer cruise in Maine, passengers knit a seaworthy yarn," 26 Oct. 2017
There are creaks and a scary incident with a boiler.

— lincoln michel, GQ, "We Are Still Here Has the Most Pissed Off Ghosts You’ll See on Netflix," 14 Oct. 2017
Then, when a staircase lowers from above, sound designers Craig Beyrooti and Trevor Peters give us every forbidding creak, and lighting designer Bert Scott shows us the soft glow of freedom beyond the stairs.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Shakes' magical dungeon propels 'Man of La Mancha'," 8 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of creak

1604

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

creak Synonyms

Synonyms

grind, jar, rasp, scrape;

Related Words

clang, clangor, clank, clash, jangle;

scuff;

croak, gargle;

blast, bleat, bray, screech;

CREAK Defined for English Language Learners

creak

verb

Definition of creak for English Language Learners

: to make a long, high sound : to make a sound like the sound made by an old door when it opens or closes

CREAK Defined for Kids

creak

verb \ ˈkrēk \

Definition of creak for Students

creaked; creaking

: to make a long scraping or squeaking sound

The stairs creaked … with every step.
—Astrid Lindgren, Pippi Longstocking

creak

noun

Definition of creak for Students

: a long squeaking or scraping noise

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creak

Definition of creak

Examples of creak in a Sentence

Recent Examples of creak from the Web

Origin and Etymology of creak

creak

Definition of creak

Examples of creak in a Sentence

Recent Examples of creak from the Web

First Known Use of creak

creak Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

CREAK Defined for English Language Learners

creak

Definition of creak for English Language Learners

CREAK Defined for Kids

creak

Definition of creak for Students

creak

Definition of creak for Students

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