creep
verb
\ ˈkrēp
\
\
crept\ ˈkrept
\;
creeping
\;
creeping
Definition of creep
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: 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.
2a
: 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
5a
: 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
creep
nounDefinition of creep (Entry 2 of 2)
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