SQUEAK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does squeak mean? 

• SQUEAK (noun)
  The noun SQUEAK has 2 senses:

1. a short high-pitched noise

2. something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin

  Familiarity information: SQUEAK used as a noun is rare.

• SQUEAK (verb)
  The verb SQUEAK has 1 sense:

1. make a high-pitched, screeching noise

  Familiarity information: SQUEAK used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SQUEAK (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A short high-pitched noise

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

the squeak of shoes on powdery snow

Hypernyms ("squeak" is a kind of...):

noise (sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound))

Derivation:

squeak (make a high-pitched, screeching noise)

squeaky (having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Something achieved (or escaped) by a narrow margin

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

close call; close shave; narrow escape; squeak; squeaker

Hypernyms ("squeak" is a kind of...):

accomplishment; achievement (the action of accomplishing something)

• SQUEAK (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they squeak    ... he / she / it squeaks   
Past simple: squeaked   
Past participle: squeaked   
-ing form: squeaking   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make a high-pitched, screeching noise

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Synonyms:

creak; screak; screech; skreak; squeak; whine

Context example:

My car engine makes a whining noise

Hypernyms (to "squeak" is one way to...):

make noise; noise; resound (emit a noise)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Sentence examples:

Cars squeak in the streets
The streets squeak with cars

Derivation:

squeak (a short high-pitched noise)

squeaker (any artifact that makes a squeaking sound when used)

 Context examples 

Plucky little chaps they are, and hardly gave a squeak.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But Jim swung the gate open, and up we went, the gravel squeaking beneath our tread.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Issue associated with any unintended sound which emanates from a device (for example, squeaking from two parts rubbing together or buzzing sounds from electrical components).

(Audible Device Noise, NCI Thesaurus)

An endless creaking was going on all about me, the woodwork and the fittings groaning and squeaking and complaining in a thousand keys.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Its panelled rooms, discoloured with the dirt and smoke of a hundred years, I dare say; its decaying floors and staircase; the squeaking and scuffling of the old grey rats down in the cellars; and the dirt and rottenness of the place; are things, not of many years ago, in my mind, but of the present instant.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Her porch was bright with the bought luxury of star-shine; the wicker of the settee squeaked fashionably as she turned toward him and he kissed her curious and lovely mouth.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)