creep
Creep (verb) means to move slowly, quietly, or close to the ground. Example: “She crept down the stairs so as not to wake anyone.”
How to use creep
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoving slowly and quietly, or (as a noun, informally) a person who makes others uncomfortable.
The noun sense meaning "unsettling person" is informal.
Word forms
crept past tense, creeped past tense, crope past tense, cropen past tense, creeps plural, creeps singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Costs have been _____ up all year.
Etymology
From Old English creopan, "to crawl", from a prehistoric Germanic root meaning "to twist" — related to "crawl" and "cripple".
Synonyms
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Rhymes for creep
See all rhymes for 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.
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