squeak: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1 (Intermediate)Informal to Neutral; used in everyday conversation and descriptive writing.
Quick answer
What does “squeak” mean?
A short, high-pitched sound, often thin, sharp, or creaky, typically made by small creatures, objects, or surfaces under pressure or friction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, high-pitched sound, often thin, sharp, or creaky, typically made by small creatures, objects, or surfaces under pressure or friction.
To narrowly achieve or avoid something; to succeed by a very small margin. Also used figuratively to describe a person speaking in a high, timid, or nervous voice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is used identically in both varieties. The figurative use 'squeak through' (to narrowly succeed) is slightly more common in British reporting, while 'squeak by' is equally common in American English.
Connotations
Largely the same. Can carry a slightly humorous or dismissive connotation when applied to a person's voice ('He squeaked out an apology').
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “squeak” in a Sentence
Noun: There was a squeak.Intransitive verb: The mouse squeaked.Transitive verb: She squeaked a reply.Verb + through/by: He squeaked through the exam.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “squeak” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old garden gate squeaked mournfully in the wind.
- She squeaked with delight when she saw the puppy.
- We'll need to oil that hinge; it's squeaking terribly.
American English
- My new sneakers squeak on the polished floor.
- 'Don't go!' he squeaked, his voice cracking.
- The team squeaked by with a one-point victory.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Very rare. 'Squeakily' exists but is almost never used.)
American English
- N/A (Very rare. 'Squeakily' exists but is almost never used.)
adjective
British English
- She has a squeaky, hesitant way of speaking.
- The squeaky floorboard gave away his midnight raid on the biscuit tin.
- After the wash, the glasses were squeaky clean.
American English
- He told a squeaky-clean joke that even my grandma would like.
- The swing set needs oil; it's getting really squeaky.
- A squeaky voice answered the phone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in informal contexts: 'The company squeaked through the last quarter with a tiny profit.'
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or descriptive biology texts.
Everyday
Very common for describing sounds of animals, objects, and in figurative success.
Technical
Used in engineering or mechanics to describe unwanted high-frequency noise from friction.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “squeak”
- Using 'squeak' for a human shout or deep sound.
- Confusing 'squeak' (short, sharp) with 'squeal' (longer, louder, often from pain or tyres).
- Incorrectly using as a transitive verb without an object: 'He squeaked a protest' is okay, but 'He squeaked' is more common.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A squeak is a short, sharp, high sound (mouse, hinge). A squeal is longer, louder, and often more emotional (pig, excited child, tyres). A creak is a low, slow, groaning sound (old floorboard, heavy door).
Yes, but usually to describe a high, thin, or nervous voice ('He squeaked out an answer'), often for humorous or dismissive effect. It's not used for a normal speaking voice.
Usually yes, meaning morally spotless or very clean. However, it can sometimes be used sarcastically to imply someone is pretending to be perfect.
Use it with 'through' or 'by' to mean 'succeed narrowly': 'She squeaked through the qualifying round.' 'The bill squeaked by in parliament.'
A short, high-pitched sound, often thin, sharp, or creaky, typically made by small creatures, objects, or surfaces under pressure or friction.
Squeak is usually informal to neutral; used in everyday conversation and descriptive writing. in register.
Squeak: in British English it is pronounced /skwiːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /skwik/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Squeak through/by”
- “Squeaky clean”
- “A narrow squeak”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SQUEAK has the word 'EAK' in it, which sounds like a short, sharp 'eek!' of surprise or a mouse's sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIGH PITCH IS SMALL/WEAK (a squeaky voice is associated with a small or frightened creature); NARROW SUCCESS IS A TINY SOUND (just making a 'squeak' of progress).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the most typical sound described by 'squeak'?