to chirk
- verb
- /tʃɜrk/
- Archaic
:
chirriar
- The old wooden steps chirked under his feet as he climbed to the attic.
Examples
-
Birds chirking outside the window woke me up early this morning.
-
The door chirks when it opens.
-
A mouse chirks in the corner whenever it is startled by a sudden movement.
-
Did you hear the mouse chirk in the wall?
-
The door chirked every time it was opened, making a sound that echoed through the hallway.
-
As the old cabinet opened, it chirked loudly, reminiscent of the sound a squeaky door makes.
-
The bird chirks early in the morning, filling the air with its sharp, cheerful calls.
Synonyms
86
4.0
To make a loud, high, sharp sound that startles people
82
1.4
To make a short high sound when things move or rub together
61
3.0
To make a long, high sound like a pig or excited child
46
2.9
To make a high, squeaking sound when moved or pressed
34
1.0
To make a short, high sound like a small bird, insect, or electronic device
3
8.0
To make short high noises like a small bird's call
2
7.2
To make a loud high sound like a baby or bird
To make a short, high, harsh sound like an owl or old gate
To make a loud, high, harsh sound like a scream
To make a crisp rustling sound when fabric moves
Phrasal Verbs
How Shrill
Surface Forms
Etymology
Chirk probably comes from an old sound word, like chirp, that copies a short, sharp noise. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine a mouse or a creaky step making a small, high squeak — that is what 'to chirk' means.