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

• eerie
• eery
• haunting
• spookish
• spooky
• uncanny
• unearthly
• weird

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

Gabriela’s stalker exit arc & likely return DEADLINE: After being put through the ringer the last three seasons, Gabriela got to end her arc with a creepy stalker storyline. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025

Less time zipping between love interests will hopefully mean more time to solve the mystery of the creepy texter who began sending her cryptic, threatening messages in the final moments of Season 1. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2025

The trailer also introduces Steve Buscemi as the school’s new principal, Barry Dort, and plenty of creepy dolls. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025

It has been forged with integrity, especially in the superior first act, before the show gets trapped in one of its bespoke devices: creepy stuff happening during the production of a high school play. —Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 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