Word
creeping
Phoneticscreep·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɹipɪŋ/
UK/kɹˈiːpɪŋ/
Definitions
01slow and gradual
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. happening or spreading very slowly, often in a way that you do not notice at first.
adj. occurring or developing by slow, imperceptible degrees; often used to describe an insidious or unwanted progression.
“The company is worried about the creeping costs of the new project.”
“Economists warned that creeping inflation could erode the value of household savings if the central bank failed to intervene early.”
Synonyms
02moving stealthily
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. moving slowly and quietly so that nobody hears or sees you.
adj. moving with stealth or caution to avoid detection. Often used as a participle describing a physical action.
“He heard a creeping sound on the stairs late at night.”
“The creeping figure in the shadows turned out to be nothing more than a stray cat exploring the alleyway.”
03growing along the ground
C1 · Advanced Science Technical
adj. describing a plant that grows along the ground or up a wall rather than standing straight.
adj. growing along the ground or other surfaces by means of extending stems or runners.
“Creeping ivy covered the entire side of the old stone cottage.”
“The gardener recommended a creeping variety of thyme to fill the gaps between the paving stones in the courtyard.”
Synonyms
04the act of moving slowly
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Literary
n. the slow, quiet movement of someone or something.
n. the action or instance of moving stealthily or growing in a spreading manner.
“The slow creeping of the mist across the fields made the morning feel eerie.”
“The silent creeping of the tide eventually cut off the path back to the mainland, catching the hikers by surprise.”
Real-World Examples
“However, as time passed, I began to feel a creeping sense of shame.” “Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is not quite back to his usual levels either and going into this game, there were creeping doubts about Matvey Safonov in goal.” “That total, she adds, is a "high number, even for us" and "has been creeping up".” Etymology
From Middle English crepynge, crepinde, crepende, crepande, from Old English crēopende, from Proto-Germanic kreupandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic kreupaną (“to creep, crawl”), equivalent to creep + -ing.
From Middle English creping, crepynge, from Old English crēopung, equivalent to creep + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/creeping