creep
creep Lexical Profile
creep Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An obnoxious, unsettling, or socially inappropriate person who causes others to feel uncomfortable (informal).
"She blocked his number after he started acting like a creep at the office party."
A slow, gradual, and often imperceptible movement, shift, or progression over time, such as the gradual expansion of a project's scope or the downward movement of soil.
"The project manager warned the team about scope creep before adding any new features."
The tendency of a solid material to slowly deform permanently under the influence of persistent mechanical stress.
"Engineers tested the turbine blades for thermal creep under extreme temperatures."
• verb
To move slowly, quietly, and carefully, especially with the body close to the ground or in order to avoid being noticed.
"The cat crept silently through the tall grass toward the unsuspecting bird."
To develop, advance, or enter gradually and almost imperceptibly over time (of a feeling, error, shadow, or condition).
"A sense of doubt began to creep into his mind as the deadline approached."
To grow along the ground, a wall, or another surface by means of extending stems or tendrils (of a plant).
"Thick green ivy crept up the brick walls of the old university library."
To experience an unpleasant tingling or prickling sensation from fear, disgust, or unease (of a person's flesh or skin).
"The eerie silence of the abandoned house made her flesh creep."
• Rhymes for creep
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'creopan', meaning to move with the body close to the ground, derived from Proto-Germanic '*kreupana'. The informal noun sense referring to an unpleasant or disturbing person emerged in American slang in the early 20th century.