creaky

Creaky is an adjective used to describe something that makes a harsh, high-pitched or grating sound when moved or stressed. The term is commonly applied to physical objects such as doors, hinges, floorboards, stairs, or machinery, especially when they are old, worn, or poorly maintained. A creaky hinge may squeak loudly when a door is opened, while creaky floorboards can produce irregular noises as someone walks across them. The word can also be used more broadly to describe joints, pipes, or other components that generate audible friction or strain.

In mechanical and building contexts, creakiness often signals wear, insufficient lubrication, or structural age. Diagnosis may involve inspecting for loose fasteners, warped materials, corrosion, or compromised connections. Regular maintenance, such as lubrication, tightening, or component replacement, can reduce creakiness and prevent further damage.

In linguistics, creaky voice refers to a phonation type in which the vocal folds are constricted and the opening between them is narrow, producing a distinctive low-pitched, creaking sound. This phonation is phonemic in some languages and can appear at various positions within a word. In others, creaky voice may occur as a stylistic or habitual feature of a speaker's voice.

The term creaky is also used metaphorically to describe systems, processes, or organizations that feel old, inefficient, or unreliable due to accumulated problems.

Etymology derives from the noun creak, with the suffix -y forming an adjective.