Squeak Definition & Meaning

American

British

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms squeak American [skweek] / skwik /

noun

1. a short, sharp, shrill cry; a sharp, high-pitched sound.

2. Informal. opportunity; chance.

   their last squeak to correct the manuscript.

3. an escape from defeat, danger, death, or destruction (usually qualified by narrow orclose ).

verb (used without object)

1. to utter or emit a squeak or squeaky sound.

2. Slang. to confess or turn informer; squeal.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or sound with a squeak or squeaks.

verb phrase

1. squeak by / through to succeed, survive, pass, win, etc., by a very narrow margin.

   They can barely squeak by on their income. The team managed to squeak through.

squeak British / skwiːk /

noun

1. a short shrill cry or high-pitched sound

2. informal an escape (esp in the phrases narrow squeak , near squeak )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

1. to make or cause to make a squeak

2. (intr; usually foll by through or by) to pass with only a narrow margin

   to squeak through an examination

3. informal (intr) to confess information about oneself or another

4. (tr) to utter with a squeak

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

• squeaker noun
• squeakily adverb
• squeakiness noun
• squeakingly adverb
• squeaky adjective

Etymology

Origin of squeak

1350–1400; Middle English squeken, perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Swedish skväka to croak

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I hear Jonesy’s sneakers squeak out of the classroom at full speed.

From Literature

Despite his size, he dunks so rarely that when he actually does manage to squeak the ball over the rim, the Denver bench goes absolutely bonkers.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Oh, this is good,” Autumn says in a raspy, scraping voice that sounds like the squeak of a cheap chair against a floor.

From Literature

“Oh, that one fainted half an hour ago. The squeaking girl went to get smelling salts—not to worry!”

From Literature

“It surely has, Miss Lumley. Just look on the mail tray,” the girl replied in her piercing mouse squeak of a voice.

From Literature

Related Words

• creak
• screech
• squeal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.