creak

1 of 2

verb

ˈkrēk 

creaked; creaking; creaks

intransitive verb

: 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

creak

2 of 2

noun

: a rasping or grating noise

Synonyms of creak

Verb

• creep
• drag
• crawl
• shuffle
• limp

Noun

• scratch
• scrape
• rasp

Examples of creak in a Sentence

Verb

The old floorboards creaked under our feet.

The porch roof creaked with the heavy weight of the snow.

Noun

the creak of a floorboard

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

When turning sharply, there’s a grind not too dissimilar from the sound of creaking old bones. —James Raia, Mercury News, 4 May 2026

The hardwood frame uses traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, so this isn’t something that's going to wobble or creak on you. —Emma Tubbs, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate). —Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026

Your baby was waking at every creak of the floorboard, every passing car, every branch scraping the window. —Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English creken to croak, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

1582, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1606, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for creak

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek
• leak

Kids Definition

creak

verb

ˈkrēk

: to make a long scraping or squeaking sound

also : to go slowly with or as if with creaking wheels

creak noun