noun
creek
KREEK
noun
1
A small stream, narrower than a river.
"The kids spent the afternoon wading in the creek."
"A dry creek bed ran along the edge of the property."
2
A narrow inlet of water, often connecting to the sea.
"Fishing boats were moored along the tidal 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.
UK vs US
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
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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.