What does "creepy" mean?

1. (scary or unsettling) making you feel nervous or scared, like the feeling of something crawling on your skin. 2. (socially inappropriate) causing discomfort because of strange, dishonest, or unwanted behavior. 3. (sexually inappropriate) making someone feel unsafe or uncomfortable through unwanted sexual attention.

creepy

adj.

US //ˈkɹipi// UK //kɹˈiːpi// creepy

1 scary or unsettling (adj.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

making you feel nervous or scared, like the feeling of something crawling on your skin.

producing a sensation of unease or fear, often associated with the macabre or the supernatural.

Example

The old house at the end of the street looks really creepy at night.

Example

The abandoned asylum had a creepy atmosphere that made the urban explorers regret their decision to enter after midnight.
- reassuring
- pleasant
2 socially inappropriate (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

causing discomfort because of strange, dishonest, or unwanted behavior.

eliciting repulsion or discomfort through eccentric, intrusive, or socially inappropriate behavior.

Example

He kept staring at me in a creepy way, so I moved to another seat.

Example

The manager's habit of standing too close to employees was widely regarded as creepy and unprofessional.
- charming
- friendly

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3 sexually inappropriate (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

making someone feel unsafe or uncomfortable through unwanted sexual attention.

specifically denoting behavior that is perceived as sexually predatory or inappropriately suggestive.

Example

She blocked him because he kept sending her creepy messages late at night.

Example

The witness described a creepy individual who had been loitering near the park entrance and making suggestive comments to passersby.
- lecherous
- predatory

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *grewbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *kreupaną Proto-West Germanic *kreupan Old English crēopan Middle English crepen English creep Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz Proto-West Germanic *-g Old English -iġ Middle English -y English -y English creepy From creep + -y.