creek
12 synonyms for creek, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A small stream, narrower than a river.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Middle English crike, likely from Old Norse kriki — originally meaning a coastal inlet, the sense later broadened (especially in American and Australian English) to cover any small inland stream.
Full origin of creek →Frequently asked questions
What does “creek” mean?
The word “creek” means a small stream, narrower than a river. In plain terms, a small watercourse — either a stream inland or a narrow coastal inlet, depending on the country.
How do you pronounce “creek”?
“Creek” is pronounced KREEK (/ˈkɹiːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “creek” in a sentence?
Here is “creek” used in a sentence: “The kids spent the afternoon wading in the creek.”
What is another word for “creek”?
Words with a similar meaning to “creek” include beck, brook, burn, stream, branch and bayou.
What part of speech is “creek”?
“Creek” is a noun.
Where does the word “creek” come from?
The word “creek” comes from Middle English. From Middle English crike, likely from Old Norse kriki — originally meaning a coastal inlet, the sense later broadened (especially in American and Australian English) to cover any small inland stream.
Is “creek” a common word?
“Creek” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “creek” have?
“Creek” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small stream, narrower than a river.
What is the difference between a creek and a stream?
In American, Australian, and New Zealand English, a creek is a small stream, so the two words largely overlap, with creek suggesting something on the smaller side. In British English, creek more often means a narrow inlet of water connecting to the sea rather than a freshwater stream.
What is the difference between a creek and a river?
Size is the main difference: a creek is a small watercourse, narrower than a river. Rivers are larger natural waterways, and creeks and streams often feed into them.
Is it crick or creek?
The standard spelling and pronunciation is creek. Crick reflects a regional American pronunciation of the same word; it appears in dialect speech and informal writing but is not the standard form.
