squeeze
skweez
Squeeze (verb) means to press something firmly from two or more sides. Example: “Squeeze the sponge gently to get the water out.”
verb
1
To press something firmly from two or more sides.
"Squeeze the sponge gently to get the water out."
"She squeezed the lemon over her fish."
"He squeezed her hand to comfort her."
2
To force something into a tight space, or manage to fit it in.
"Can you squeeze past me? The corridor is very narrow."
"We squeezed one more chair around the table."
"I'll try to squeeze in a call before lunch."
3
To put pressure on someone, financially or otherwise.
"Supermarkets often squeeze their suppliers to lower the prices they charge."
"The landlord squeezed his tenants by raising the rent yet again."
"Rising costs are squeezing small businesses hard."
noun
1
An act of pressing or hugging something.
"The baby gave my finger a tight squeeze."
"Give the tube a squeeze to get the last of the toothpaste out."
"She gave his arm a gentle squeeze."
2
A difficult situation caused by limited time, money, or space.
"With rent and food costing more, many families are in a real squeeze."
"A squeeze on space meant that four of us shared one room."
"Households are feeling the squeeze from higher energy bills."
How to use squeeze
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo press tightly, force something into a small space, or the financial/practical pressure of a tight situation.
Common pairings
squeeze in
squeeze out
feel the squeeze
a tight squeeze
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Word forms
- Plural
- squeezes
- Third person singular
- squeezes
- Past tense
- squeezed, squoze, squozen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ the sponge gently to get the water out.
Etymology
First recorded around 1600, likely from an old English word meaning "to crush," possibly influenced by an imitative sound.
Class of 1600
squeeze joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for squeeze
See all rhymes for squeeze →Frequently asked questions
What does “squeeze” mean?
The word “squeeze” means to press something firmly from two or more sides. In plain terms, to press tightly, force something into a small space, or the financial/practical pressure of a tight situation.
How do you pronounce “squeeze”?
“Squeeze” is pronounced skweez (/skwiːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “squeeze” in a sentence?
Here is “squeeze” used in a sentence: “She squeezed the lemon over her fish.”
What is another word for “squeeze”?
Words with a similar meaning to “squeeze” include condense.
What part of speech is “squeeze”?
Depending on how it is used, “squeeze” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “squeeze” come from?
The word “squeeze” dates back to around 1600 and comes from Old English. First recorded around 1600, likely from an old English word meaning "to crush," possibly influenced by an imitative sound.
Is “squeeze” a common word?
“Squeeze” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “squeeze” have?
“Squeeze” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to press something firmly from two or more sides.
What is the difference between squeeze and press?
To press is to push against something with steady force, usually from one direction or downward. To squeeze is to compress something firmly from two or more sides at once, as when you squeeze a lemon or someone's hand.
What is the difference between squeeze and pinch?
A pinch grips something tightly between a finger and thumb, affecting a small area. A squeeze applies pressure to a larger part or the whole object from more than one side, so squeezing a stress ball is different from pinching skin.
What prepositions are used with squeeze?
Common combinations include squeeze 'into' a small space, squeeze 'through' a gap, squeeze 'out' the last drop, and squeeze 'past' someone. The preposition depends on the direction of the movement or pressure.
