Creek
/kriːk/noun
A small stream or narrow inlet of the sea.
Did you know?In English, creek is a word of uncertain origin, but it likely came through Old Norse and Middle English for a narrow inlet or bay, showing how seafaring languages shaped everyday landscape words.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*krōkaz
“bend, crook”
Old Norse
ON
kriki
“corner, nook, inlet”
Middle English
ME
creke
“narrow inlet, small stream”
Early Modern English
English
creeke
“small stream or tidal inlet”
Modern English
English
creek
“small stream; narrow inlet”