crept
ˈkrept 
; creeping
; creeping
1
a
: to move along with the body prone and close to the ground
A spider was creeping along the bathroom floor.
b
: to move slowly on hands and knees
He crept toward the edge of the cliff.
2
a
: to go very slowly
The hours crept by.
b
: to go timidly or cautiously so as to escape notice
She crept away from the festive scene.
c
: to enter or advance gradually so as to be almost unnoticed
Age creeps up on us.
A note of irritation crept into her voice.
3
: to have the sensation of being covered with creeping things
The thought made his flesh creep.
4
of a plant
: to spread or grow over a surface rooting at intervals or clinging with tendrils, stems, or aerial roots
5
a
: to slip or gradually shift position
The high temperatures of the jet engine cause the turbine blade to creep.
b
: to change shape permanently from prolonged stress or exposure to high temperatures
1
: a movement of or like creeping
traffic moving at a creep
2
: a distressing sensation like that caused by the creeping of insects over one's flesh
especially
: a feeling of apprehension or horror
—usually used in plural with the
That gives me the creeps.
3
: a feed trough accessible only by young animals and used especially to supply special or supplementary feed
called also creep feeder
4
: the slow change of dimensions of an object from prolonged exposure to high temperature or stress
5
: an unpleasant or obnoxious person
6
: a slow but persistent increase or elevation
This political inertia … makes budget creep inevitable.—
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street JournalExamples of creep in a Sentence
Verb
She crept toward the edge of the roof and looked over.
I caught him creeping down the stairs to the kitchen.
She crept into bed next to her sleeping husband.
The hours crept by as we waited for morning.
a train creeping through the town
The price of gasoline has crept back up to three dollars a gallon.
A few mistakes crept in during the last revision of the paper.
new words creeping into the language
Noun
I get the creeps every time he walks by.
I hate snakes. They give me the creeps.
That guy gives me the creeps.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
But with Neo stepping into the household and taking on labor like housekeeping, job-seekers may have to compete with AI innovations creeping into the blue-collar world.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Driving through lush, evergreen rainforest, far past the industrious city of Seattle, a rolling mist creeps in.
—Christina Fang, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for creep
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Verb
Domestically, the president is also navigating creeping inflation that is threatening his party’s prospects in the midterm elections, with Democrats staking their return to power on fears of an affordability crisis.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
But with Neo stepping into the household and taking on labor like housekeeping, job-seekers may have to compete with AI innovations creeping into the blue-collar world.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
On the flip side, a stronger dollar can tempt lifestyle creep—spending more simply because things feel cheaper, which can quietly derail your budget.
—Essence, 23 Oct. 2025
Driving through lush, evergreen rainforest, far past the industrious city of Seattle, a rolling mist creeps in.
—Christina Fang, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for creep
Cite this Entry
“Creep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creep. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
creep
1 of 2 verb
crept
ˈkrept
; creeping
; creeping
1
: to move along with the body close to the ground : move slowly on hands and knees
2
: to advance slowly, timidly, or quietly
the tide crept up the beach
3
: to spread or grow over the ground or a surface
a creeping vine
4
: to slip or gradually shift position
5
: to feel as though insects were crawling on the body
the shriek made my flesh creep
creep
2 of 2 noun1
: a creeping movement
2
a
: a sensation like that of insects creeping over one's flesh
b
: a feeling of horror
—usually used in plural with the
the story gave me the creeps
3
: an unpleasant or hateful person
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