creak / krēk/ • v. [intr.] (of an object, typically a wooden one) make a harsh, high-pitched sound when being moved or when pressure or weight is applied. ∎ fig. show weakness or frailty under strain: stock prices creaked to a mixed finish today.• n. a harsh scraping or squeaking sound: the creak of a floorboard broke the silence.DERIVATIVES: creak·ing·ly adv.

creak †croak XIV; †speak stridently or querulously XV; make a shrill grating noise XVI. orig. synon. with †crake (XIV) and CROAK, and of similar imit. orig.