English Reference
Adjective

squeaky

adj.
B1 Intermediate US /ˈskwiki/ UK /skwˈiːki/ squeaky

adj.making a short, high sound like a mouse or a door that needs oil.

adj.characterised by a high-pitched, thin, or shrill sound. Often used to describe voices, floorboards, or mechanical parts lacking lubrication.


SIMPLE

The old wooden floor makes a squeaky sound when I walk.

CONTEXTUAL

He tried to sound serious, but his voice became squeaky because he was so nervous.

COMPLEX

The cyclist realized the chain was dry when it began emitting a rhythmic, squeaky noise that echoed through the quiet valley.

Usage

Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'sound' or 'be'.


From squeak + -y.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated