creepy

1 of 2

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

creepiness

2 of 2

noun

creep·​i·​ness ˈkrē-pē-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being creepy : eeriness

Synonyms of creepy

Adjective

• eerie
• haunting

Examples of creepy in a Sentence

Adjective

There's something creepy about that guy.

a fascinating but creepy stage show by an offbeat magician

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Back at school, Thom hangs out on the bleachers for a secret meeting with the creepy home invader from Robert’s party. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026

If their new Craftsman-style house seems overlarge for two, with plenty of shelter-mag built-ins, well, Tom is a successful crime novelist and there’s also a leaky attic and a creepy, warrenlike basement to be dealt with. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Dark movie theaters, or creepy home basements, are the classic venues of choice for those who love supernatural scares. — Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 26 Aug. 2026

There’s something creepy and toothy about one of her other direct reports, too. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see creep entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing creepy

• creepy-crawler
• creepy crawly

Rhymes for creepy

• sleepy
• 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