creak

UK: kriːk | US: kriːk

Definition

  1. n. a harsh, high-pitched sound, often produced by wood or metal under strain

  2. vi. to make such a sound

Structure
creak <to make a harsh sound>
Etymology

The word "creak" is an onomatopoeic term, imitating the sharp, grating noise it describes. It originated in Middle English as "creken," likely derived from Old English "crācian" (to resound, crack). Its monosyllabic structure and direct sound association classify it as non-splittable under the Non-Splittable Word Criteria.

Examples

  1. The old wooden floorboards creaked under his weight.

  2. A loud creak came from the rusty hinges of the door.

  3. She winced at the creak of the unoiled wheels.

  4. The ship's mast began to creak in the storm.

  5. He heard a faint creak in the attic at midnight.