intransitive verb
crept, creep′ing- to move along with the body close to the ground, as on hands and knees, in the way that a baby does
- to move slowly, stealthily, timidly, or furtively
- to come on gradually and almost unnoticed: often with up
- to cringe; fawn
- to grow along the ground or a wall, as some plants
- to slip slightly out of position
- to change in shape as the result of constant stress, temperature, etc.: said of materials, metals, etc.
Origin of creep
Middle English crepen from Old English creopan, to creep, literally , go bent down; akin to Swedish krypa from Indo-European base an unverified form ger-: see cradle- the act of creeping
- a creeping movement
- the gradual deformation of a material, esp. a metal or alloy, due to constant stress, high temperature, etc.
- Slang a person regarded as very annoying, disgusting, etc.
- Geol. the slow, almost imperceptible movement of soil and loose rock down a slope
creep Idioms
creep out
pt. & pp.creeped creeped
Slang to make frightened or disgusted
make one's flesh creep
to give one a feeling of fear, repugnance, etc.
the creeps
Informal a feeling of fear, repugnance, etc.
