Word
Definition
n. a small stream or a narrow river. In some places, it can also mean a narrow area of water that goes from the sea into the land.
n. a natural stream of water, normally smaller than and often tributary to a river. In British English, it specifically refers to a narrow, sheltered inlet of the sea.
Examples
“The children spent the afternoon playing by the creek.”
“Heavy rainfall caused the small creek behind the house to overflow its banks and flood the garden.”
“The property line follows the winding path of the creek, providing a natural boundary that separates the dense woodland from the cultivated fields.”
Examples
simple
“The children spent the afternoon playing by the creek.”
contextual
“Heavy rainfall caused the small creek behind the house to overflow its banks and flood the garden.”
complex
“The property line follows the winding path of the creek, providing a natural boundary that separates the dense woodland from the cultivated fields.”
Usage
Commonly used in North American and Australian English to describe any small stream; in British English, it usually refers to a tidal inlet.
Etymology
* As an English surname, from Creake in Norfolk, a variant of the noun crag (“steep rugged cliff”). * Also as an English surname, from the archaic noun cratch (“crib, manger”). * As a German surname, Americanized from Krieg (“war, warfare”), Krück, Kruck (see Krug (“jug”) and Krücke (“crutch”)), Krick. * As a Dutch surname, Americanized from Kreek (from the noun kreek (“creek”), see creek) and Kriek (from kriek (“cherry”)). * The Native American tribe name is likely shortened from Ocheese Creek (the Hitchiti name for the body of water known today as the Ocmulgee River).
Blend of Craig + Tweek (an alteration of tweak).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/creek
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0