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creak /kriː k/ (creaks , creaking , creaked ) VERB If something creaks , it makes a short, high-pitched sound when it moves. □ [V ] The bed-springs creaked. □ [V adj] The door creaked open. □ [V -ing] …the creaking stairs. ● N‑COUNT Creak is also a noun. □  The door was pulled open with a creak.

creaky /kriː ki/

1 ADJ A creaky object creaks when it moves. □  She pushed open a creaky door.

2 ADJ If you describe something as creaky , you think it is bad in some way because it is old or old-fashioned. □  …its creaky and corrupt political system.

cream ◆◆◇ /kriː m/ (creams , creaming , creamed )

1 N‑UNCOUNT Cream is a thick yellowish-white liquid taken from milk. You can use it in cooking or put it on fruit or desserts. □  …strawberries and cream.

2 → see also clotted cream , double cream , single cream , sour cream , whipping cream

3 N‑UNCOUNT Cream is used in the names of soups that contain cream or milk. □ [+ of ] …cream of mushroom soup.

4 N‑VAR A cream is a substance that you rub into your skin, for example to keep it soft or to heal or protect it. □  Gently apply the cream to the affected areas. □  …sun protection creams.

5 → see also face cream

6 COLOUR Something that is cream is yellowish-white in colour. □  …cream silk stockings. □  …a cream-coloured Persian cat.

7 N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] Cream is used in expressions such as the cream of society and the cream of British athletes to refer to the best people or things of a particular kind. □ [+ of ] The Ball was attended by the cream of Hollywood society. ● PHRASE You can refer to the best people or things of a particular kind as the cream of the crop .

8 → see also ice cream , peaches and cream , salad cream , shaving cream

▸  cream off

1 PHRASAL VERB To cream off part of a group of people means to take them away and treat them in a special way, because they are better than the others. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] The private schools cream off many of the best pupils.

2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or organization creams off a large amount of money, they take it and use it for themselves. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [V P n] This means smaller banks can cream off big profits during lending booms.

crea m chee se N‑UNCOUNT Cream cheese is a very rich, soft white cheese.

crea m cra ck|er (cream crackers ) N‑COUNT Cream crackers are crisp dry biscuits which are eaten with cheese. [BRIT ]

cream|er /kriː mə ^r / (creamers ) N‑VAR Creamer is a white powder that is used in tea and coffee instead of milk. □  …coffee whitened with a non-dairy creamer.

cream|ery /kriː məri/ (creameries ) N‑COUNT A creamery is a place where milk and cream are made into butter and cheese.

crea m of ta r|tar N‑UNCOUNT Cream of tartar is a white powder used in baking.

crea m tea (cream teas ) N‑COUNT In Britain, a cream tea is an afternoon meal that consists of tea to drink and small cakes called scones that are eaten with jam and cream. Cream teas are served in places such as tea shops.

creamy /kriː mi/ (creamier , creamiest )

1 ADJ Food or drink that is creamy contains a lot of cream or milk. □  …rich, creamy coffee. □  …a creamy chocolate and nut candy bar.

2 ADJ Food that is creamy has a soft smooth texture and appearance. □  …creamy mashed potato. □  Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and creamy.

crease /kriː s/ (creases , creasing , creased )

1 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Creases are lines that are made in cloth or paper when it is crushed or folded. □ [+ in ] She stood up, frowning at the creases in her silk dress. □ [+ of ] Papa flattened the creases of the map with his broad hands.