creep

[kriːp]

creep Definition

• 1. to move slowly, quietly, and carefully, usually in order to avoid being noticed
• 2. to make someone feel nervous, uneasy, or frightened
• 3. a person who behaves in an unpleasantly or untrustworthy way

Using creep: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "creep" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I crept up behind him and surprised him.

• Example

  The thought of spiders creeping around the house makes me uneasy.

• Example

  He gives me the creeps.

• Example

  He's a bit of a creep, always staring at people.

creep Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for creep

• sneak
• slither
• crawl
• tiptoe
• skulk
• lurk
• weirdo
• freak
• pervert
• stalker

Antonyms for creep

• march
• strut
• stomp

Idioms Using creep

• make one's skin crawl

  to cause someone to feel a strong sense of disgust or fear

  Example

  The sight of the creepy crawlies made my skin crawl.

• give someone the heebie-jeebies

  to cause someone to feel nervous, uneasy, or frightened

  Example

  The old abandoned house gave me the heebie-jeebies.

• a creep in the grass

  a person who is deceitful or untrustworthy

  Example

  Watch out for him, he's a creep in the grass.

Phrases with creep

• creep out

  to cause someone to feel nervous, uneasy, or frightened

  Example

  The abandoned house really creeps me out.

• creep up on

  to approach someone or something quietly and slowly so as not to be noticed

  Example

  I crept up on the deer and managed to take a photo before it ran away.

• the creeps

  a feeling of fear or disgust

  Example

  The horror movie gave me the creeps.

Origins of creep

from Old English 'creopan', meaning 'to creep, crawl'

📌

Summary: creep in Brief

The term 'creep' [kriːp] can be used as a verb to describe slow, quiet, and careful movement, often to avoid being noticed. It can also mean to make someone feel nervous, uneasy, or frightened. As a noun, it refers to a person who behaves in an unpleasant or untrustworthy way. Phrases like 'creep out' and 'creep up on' extend the verb's usage, while idioms like 'make one's skin crawl' and 'give someone the heebie-jeebies' denote feelings of disgust or fear. 'A creep in the grass' refers to a deceitful or untrustworthy person.