First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1creep
verb \ˈkrēp\
: to move slowly with the body close to the ground
: to move slowly and quietly especially in order to not be noticed
: to go or seem to go very slowly
crept \ˈkrept\ creep·ing
Full Definition of CREEP
intransitive verb
1
a : to move along with the body prone and close to the ground b : to move slowly on hands and knees
2
a : to go very slowly <the hours crept by> b : to go timidly or cautiously so as to escape notice <she crept away from the festive scene> c : to enter or advance gradually so as to be almost unnoticed <age creeps up on us> <a note of irritation crept into her voice>
3
: to have the sensation of being covered with creeping things <the thought made his flesh creep>
4
of a plant : to spread or grow over a surface rooting at intervals or clinging with tendrils, stems, or aerial roots
5
a : to slip or gradually shift position b : to change shape permanently from prolonged stress or exposure to high temperatures
See creep defined for English-language learners
See creep defined for kids
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Origin of CREEP
Middle English crepen, from Old English crēopan; akin to Old Norse krjūpa to creep
Related to CREEP
2creep
noun
: a strange person who you strongly dislike
the creeps : an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or fear
Full Definition of CREEP
1
: a movement of or like creeping <traffic moving at a creep>
2
: a distressing sensation like that caused by the creeping of insects over one's flesh; especially : a feeling of apprehension or horror —usually used in plural with the <that gives me the creeps>
3
: a feed trough accessible only by young animals and used especially to supply special or supplementary feed —called also creep feeder
4
: the slow change of dimensions of an object from prolonged exposure to high temperature or stress
5
: an unpleasant or obnoxious person
6
: a slow but persistent increase or elevation <this political inertia … makes budget creep inevitable — Wall Street Journal>
See creep defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CREEP
1818
Related to CREEP
- Synonyms
- bastard, beast, bleeder [British], blighter [chiefly British], boor, bounder, bugger, buzzard, cad, chuff, churl, clown, jerk, cretin, crud [slang], crumb [slang], cur, dirtbag [slang], dog, fink, heel, hound, joker, louse, lout, pill, rat, rat fink, reptile, rotter, schmuck [slang], scum, scumbag [slang], scuzzball [slang], skunk, sleaze, sleazebag [slang], sleazeball [slang], slime, slimeball [slang], slob, snake, so-and-so, sod [chiefly British], stinkard, stinker, swine, toad, varmint, vermin
CREEP Defined for Kids
1creep
verb \ˈkrēp\
crept \ˈkrept\creep·ing
Definition of CREEP for Kids
1
: to move along with the body close to the ground or floor : move slowly on hands and knees : crawl
2
: to move or advance slowly, timidly, or quietly <Moving quietly, I crept halfway down the stairs and listened. — Avi, Crispin>
3
: to grow or spread along the ground or along a surface <Ivy was creeping up a wall.>
2creep
noun
Definition of CREEP for Kids
1
: a strange or unlikable person
2
: a slow, timid, or quiet movement
3
: a feeling of nervousness or fear —usually used in pl. <Spiders give me the creeps.>
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