creek

¹

[kreek, krik]

noun

1. U.S. and Canada.,  a stream smaller than a river.

2. a stream or channel in a coastal marsh.

3. Chiefly Atlantic States and British.,  a recess or inlet in the shore of the sea.

4. an estuary.

5. British Dialect.,  a narrow, winding passage or hidden recess.

Creek

²

[kreek]

noun

plural

Creeks ,

plural

Creek .

1. a member of a confederacy of North American Indians that in historic times occupied the greater part of Alabama and Georgia.

2. Also called Muskogee. a Muskogean language that is the language of the Creek Indians.

creek

¹

/ kriːk /

noun

1. a narrow inlet or bay, esp of the sea

2. a small stream or tributary

3. slang,  in trouble; in a difficult position

Creek

²

/ kriːk /

noun

1. a member of a confederacy of Native American peoples formerly living in Georgia and Alabama, now chiefly in Oklahoma

2. any of the languages of these peoples, belonging to the Muskhogean family

Other Word Forms

• subcreek noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of creek¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English creke, variant of crike, from Old Norse kriki “bend, crook”

Word History and Origins

Origin of creek¹

C13: from Old Norse kriki nook; related to Middle Dutch krēke creek, inlet

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up the / a creek (without a paddle), in a predicament; in a difficult or seemingly hopeless situation.

   The pension is so small, I'd be up the creek if I had no other income.

   Don't ask me to navigate, or we'll be up a creek without a paddle in no time.

see up a creek.

Example Sentences

Beautiful Eagle Creek sits just off Tillman Road in Statesboro, Ga., tracing the edge of the practice field at Georgia Southern University, where for more than four decades, the creek has been considered holy ground.

From Los Angeles Times

Several dilapidated and closed retail spaces are located near the crossroads at the center of Cantua Creek.

From Los Angeles Times

Did Williams know her former “Dawson’s Creek” co-stars Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson were starring in a romantic movie trilogy, written and directed by Holmes?

From Los Angeles Times

The young writer was about to get a gig on the hit comedy “Schitt’s Creek,” for which he went on to win an Emmy.

From Los Angeles Times

The trail runs along Dry Meadow Creek, which flows into the Kern River.

From Los Angeles Times