# creeps

/ˈkɹips/ (US) · /kɹˈiːps/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/creeps
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a feeling of fear or disgust

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a feeling of fear, horror, or disgust, often making you feel like something is crawling on your skin.

For teachers: a sensation of revulsion, unease, or fear, typically used with 'the' and the verbs 'give' or 'get'.

- That old, empty house at the end of the street really gives me the creeps.
- The way he stared at the passengers without blinking gave everyone on the bus the creeps, prompting several people to move to the front.

Usage: Always used as a plural noun with 'the'; typically follows the verb 'give' (something gives you the creeps) or 'get' (you get the creeps).

### 2. moves slowly and quietly

verb · CEFR B2

moves slowly and quietly, usually to avoid being seen or heard.

For teachers: the third-person singular present form of 'creep', meaning to move stealthily or slowly close to the ground.

- The cat creeps through the tall grass when it sees a bird.
- As the fog creeps across the valley floor, the visibility for drivers on the mountain pass drops to near zero.

Usage: Third-person singular form of the verb 'creep'.

## Examples

- The cat creeps across the floor.
- She creeps into the room to check if her brother is awake.
- The detective creeps along the shadowed corridor, holding his breath to ensure the suspect remains unaware of his presence.

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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.