creek
Creek (noun) means a small stream, narrower than a river. Example: “The kids spent the afternoon wading in the creek.”
How to use creek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small watercourse — either a stream inland or a narrow coastal inlet, depending on the country.
In British English "creek" usually means a coastal inlet; in American and Australian English it commonly means any small stream or river.
Word forms
creeks plural, Creeks plural, Creek plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids spent the afternoon wading in the _____.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for creek
See all rhymes for 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.
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