SQUEAK


Meaning of SQUEAK in English

/ skwiːk; NAmE / verb , noun

■ verb

1.

[ v ] to make a short high sound that is not very loud :

My new shoes squeak.

The mouse ran away, squeaking with fear.

One wheel makes a horrible squeaking noise.

2.

to speak in a very high voice, especially when you are nervous or excited :

[ v speech ]

'Let go of me!' he squeaked nervously.

[also v ]

3.

[ v + adv. / prep. ] to only just manage to win sth, pass a test, etc. :

We squeaked into the final with a goal in the last minute.

■ noun

a short, high cry or sound, that is not usually very loud

—see also bubble and squeak

••

WORD ORIGIN

late Middle English (as a verb): imitative; compare with Swedish skväka croak, also with squeal and shriek . The noun dates from the early 17th cent.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.