creep
1creep
verb \ˈkrēp\crept\ˈkrept\creep·ing
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
Examples of CREEP
- She crept toward the edge of the roof and looked over.
- I caught him creeping down the stairs to the kitchen.
- She crept into bed next to her sleeping husband.
- The hours crept by as we waited for morning.
- a train creeping through the town
- The price of gasoline has crept back up to three dollars a gallon.
- A few mistakes crept in during the last revision of the paper.
- new words creeping into the language
Origin of CREEP
Middle English crepen, from Old English crēopan; akin to Old Norse krjūpa to creep
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to CREEP
Related Words: snake, sneak; entrench (also intrench), impinge, infringe, intrude, invade; overpass, overreach, overrun, overshoot, overstep
Rhymes with CREEP
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