creek
UK: kriːk | US: kriːk
n. a small, narrow stream or river
n. (chiefly US) a tidal inlet or channel in a coastal marsh
n. (Australian/NZ) a branch of a main river
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The word "creek" traces back to Old English crēc or crīc, meaning "a bend or nook," likely influenced by Old Norse kriki ("corner, bend"). It evolved to describe small, winding waterways, reflecting the original sense of a "bend" in topography. The term was later adopted in North America and Australasia with regional nuances (e.g., tidal inlets or river branches), retaining its core association with minor watercourses.
The children waded across the shallow creek to explore the woods.
Coastal marshes are often crisscrossed by winding creeks.
They camped by a quiet creek in the Australian outback.
The map marked a hidden creek perfect for kayaking.
At low tide, the creek bed was exposed, revealing colorful stones.