Eke Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

To get or achieve something with great difficulty, often used in phrases like "eke out" meaning to make something last or survive by making small efforts.

Usage & Nuances

Mostly appears as 'eke out' in modern English: 'eke out a living', 'eke out resources'. Formal or literary tone—rare in everyday conversation except fixed phrases. Not used for big successes; only for barely managing with little.

• Spanish: lograr con dificultad - sobrevivir con poco
• Portuguese (BR): conseguir com dificuldade - sobreviver com o mínimo
• Portuguese (PT): conseguir com dificuldade - sobreviver com o mínimo
• Chinese (Simplified): 勉强获得 - 勉强维持
• Chinese (Traditional): 勉強獲得 - 勉強維持
• Hindi: मुश्किल से पूरा करना - जैसे-तैसे गुज़ारा करना
• Arabic: يُحقق بصعوبة - يعيش بالكاد
• Bengali: কষ্টে চলা - সামান্য দিয়ে টিকে থাকা
• Russian: с трудом добывать - кое-как выживать
• Japanese: やっとのことでやりくりする - ぎりぎり生計を立てる
• Vietnamese: chật vật xoay xở - cầm cự - kiếm sống khó khăn
• Korean: 간신히 버티다 - 근근이 살아가다
• Turkish: kıt kanaat geçinmek - güçlükle idare etmek
• Urdu: بمشکل گزارہ کرنا - بمشکل چلانا
• Indonesian: menyiasati - bertahan dengan susah payah

Example Sentences

They had to eke out a living selling vegetables.

basic

He tried to eke out his small salary.

basic

With only a little food left, they eked out their meals carefully.

basic

She managed to eke out a few extra dollars by working overtime.

natural

We had to eke out the last bit of fuel until morning.

natural

Even with two jobs, it's tough to eke out a living in the city.

natural