Definition of creep
crept
play \ˈkrept\;creeping
intransitive verb
1a : to move along with the body prone and close to the ground A spider was creeping along the bathroom floor.b : to move slowly on hands and knees He crept toward the edge of the cliff.
2a : 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
5a : to slip or gradually shift position The high temperatures of the jet engine cause the turbine blade to creep.b : to change shape permanently from prolonged stress or exposure to high temperatures
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Examples of creep in a Sentence
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 and Etymology of creep
Middle English crepen, from Old English crēopan; akin to Old Norse krjūpa to creep
First Known Use: before 12th century
creep
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. — The Wall Street Journal
Examples of creep in a Sentence
I get the creeps every time he walks by.
I hate snakes. They give me the creeps.
That guy gives me the creeps.
Origin and Etymology of creep
see 1creep
First Known Use: 1818
CREEP Defined for English Language Learners
creep
playDefinition of creep for English Language Learners
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: to move slowly with the body close to the ground
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: to move slowly and quietly especially in order to not be noticed
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: to go or seem to go very slowly
creep
Definition of creep for English Language Learners
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: a strange person who you strongly dislike
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the creeps : an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or fear
CREEP Defined for Kids
Definition of creep for Students
crept
\ˈkrept\;creeping
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.
Definition of creep for Students
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.
Learn More about creep
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See words that rhyme with creep Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for creep Spanish Central: Translation of creep Nglish: Translation of creep for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of creep for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about creep
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