# creeping

/ˈkɹipɪŋ/ (US) · /kɹˈiːpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/creeping
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. slow and gradual

adjective · CEFR B2

happening or spreading very slowly, often in a way that you do not notice at first.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. moving stealthily

adjective · CEFR B2

moving slowly and quietly so that nobody hears or sees you.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. growing along the ground

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a plant that grows along the ground or up a wall rather than standing straight.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. the act of moving slowly

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

the slow, quiet movement of someone or something.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The fog is creeping across the lake.
- Inflation is creeping up on household budgets, making everyday groceries feel more expensive each month.
- A sense of dread was creeping into the room as the clock ticked closer to midnight and no one had arrived.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.