creep
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for creep, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use creep
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
The noun sense meaning "unsettling person" is informal.
Etymology
From Old English creopan, "to crawl", from a prehistoric Germanic root meaning "to twist" — related to "crawl" and "cripple".
Full origin of creep →Frequently asked questions
What does “creep” mean?
The word “creep” means to move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground. In plain terms, moving slowly and quietly, or (as a noun, informally) a person who makes others uncomfortable.
How do you pronounce “creep”?
“Creep” is pronounced kreep (/kɹiːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “creep” in a sentence?
Here is “creep” used in a sentence: “Costs have been creeping up all year.”
What part of speech is “creep”?
Depending on how it is used, “creep” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “creep” come from?
The word “creep” comes from Old English. From Old English creopan, "to crawl", from a prehistoric Germanic root meaning "to twist" — related to "crawl" and "cripple".
Is “creep” a common word?
“Creep” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “creep” have?
“Creep” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground.