creepy

adjective

ˈkrē-pē 

creepier; creepiest

1

: producing a nervous shivery apprehension

a creepy horror story

also : eerie

2

: of, relating to, or being a creep : annoyingly unpleasant

a creepy old man

creepily

ˈkrē-pə-lē 

adverb

creepiness

ˈkrē-pē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of creepy

• eerie
• haunting

Examples of creepy in a Sentence

There's something creepy about that guy.

a fascinating but creepy stage show by an offbeat magician

Recent Examples on the Web

Does Jason Voorhees soundtrack his kills with a creepy children’s choir? —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

While the green, glowing waterways in the underworld are cool to look at, there are also floating hooks with eyeballs and other creepy creatures. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025

Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder lead an ensemble cast as sorority sisters whose holiday bliss is disrupted by creepy, threatening phone calls. —James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025

But Broderick’s performance suggests an altogether creepier demidevil, the kind where the mask and face have fused. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see creep entry 1

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing creepy

• creepy crawler
• creepy-crawly

Rhymes for creepy

• sleepy
• praecipe
• principe

Kids Definition

creepy

adjective

ˈkrē-pē 

creepier; creepiest

: having or producing a sensation as of insects creeping on the skin

especially : eerie

creepily

-pə-lē 

adverb

creepiness noun