creepy
KREE-pee
Creepy (adj) means causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease. Example: “The old doll with the missing eye looked creepy in the dim attic light.”
adj
1
Causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease.
"The old doll with the missing eye looked creepy in the dim attic light."
"There was something creepy about the empty fairground at night."
"He kept sending her creepy messages after she said no."
How to use creepy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnsettling or unnerving, in a way that makes your skin crawl.
Common pairings
creepy feeling
creepy guy
creepy house
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like creepy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- creepier
- Superlative
- creepiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old doll with the missing eye looked _____ in the dim attic light.
Etymology
From creep + the adjective suffix -y, tracing to Old English creopan, "to crawl" — the sensation of skin crawling gave rise to the modern meaning.
Related words
Rhymes for creepy
See all rhymes for creepy →Frequently asked questions
What does “creepy” mean?
The word “creepy” means causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease. In plain terms, unsettling or unnerving, in a way that makes your skin crawl.
How do you pronounce “creepy”?
“Creepy” is pronounced KREE-pee (/ˈkɹipi/ in IPA).
How do you use “creepy” in a sentence?
Here is “creepy” used in a sentence: “There was something creepy about the empty fairground at night.”
What part of speech is “creepy”?
“Creepy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “creepy” come from?
The word “creepy” comes from Old English. From creep + the adjective suffix -y, tracing to Old English creopan, "to crawl" — the sensation of skin crawling gave rise to the modern meaning.
Is “creepy” a common word?
“Creepy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between creepy and scary?
Scary describes something that causes outright fear, while creepy describes something that causes a quieter, uneasy fear or discomfort. A horror film can be scary; a stranger staring for too long is creepy.
What is the difference between creepy and eerie?
Both describe things that unsettle us, but eerie leans toward a strange, otherworldly atmosphere — an eerie silence, an eerie glow — while creepy is more informal and is often applied to people or behavior that cause unease. Eerie rarely describes a person; creepy frequently does.
Is it insulting to call a person creepy?
Generally, yes. Calling someone creepy says their behavior causes fear or unease, so it is a pointed criticism rather than a neutral description. It is informal and best kept out of professional contexts.
Is it "creepier" or "more creepy"?
The standard comparative and superlative are creepier and creepiest, following the usual pattern for two-syllable adjectives ending in -y. "More creepy" is understood but less idiomatic.
