squeak

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwēk 

squeaked; squeaking; squeaks

intransitive verb

1

: to utter or make a short shrill cry or noise

2

: squeal sense 2a

3

: to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin

just squeaked by in the election

transitive verb

: to utter in a shrill piping tone

squeak

2 of 2

noun

1

: a sharp shrill cry or sound

2

: escape

a close squeak

squeaky

ˈskwē-kē 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• fink
• grass (on) [British slang]
• inform
• rat (on)
• sing
• snitch
• split (on) [British]
• squeal
• talk
• tell (on)

Examples of squeak in a Sentence

Verb

I could hear the mouse squeaking.

She squeaked when I pinched her.

My shoes squeak when I walk.

The wheel squeaks when it turns.

He squeaked into office by fewer than 2,000 votes.

“I can't believe it!” she squeaked.

Noun

She gave out a squeak.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For the record, YSU defeated Pitt in 2012 (31-17) while the Panthers squeaked by in 2015 (45-37) and 2017 (28-21 overtime), the most recent meeting. —Tom Layberger, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The recent elections laid bare just how dire things are now for the traffic-light coalition: in Thuringia, both the Free Democrats and the Greens failed to make the five-per-cent threshold needed to obtain any seats at all; the Social Democrats barely squeaked in. —Alec MacGillis, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2024

Noun

But Take Note There have been complaints of faulty bearings, and the ride can be a bit wobbly and loud, with some squeaks and creaks along the way. —Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 23 Sep. 2024

With cascading synths accented with gentle digital squeaks atop a simple pulsating beat, the track is refreshingly featherlight, made even more delicate by Diamond’s wispy vocals front and center. —Juan Velasquez, Them, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English squeken, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing squeak

• bubble and squeak
• pip-squeak

Kids Definition

squeak

1 of 2 verb

ˈskwēk 

1

: to make a short shrill cry or noise

2

: to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin

barely squeaked by

3

: to utter in a shrill tone

squeak

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sharp shrill cry or sound

2

: escape entry 2 sense 1

a close squeak