# crept

/ˈkɹɛpt/ (US) · /kɹˈɛpt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crept
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the past tense of creep. It means you moved slowly and quietly so that nobody would hear or see you.

For teachers: past tense and past participle of 'creep'; refers to moving slowly, quietly, and close to the ground to avoid detection.

## Examples

- The cat crept through the tall grass toward the bird.
- He crept out of the house at midnight, careful not to wake his sleeping parents.
- As the fog rolled in, a sense of unease crept over the small coastal village, silencing the usual evening chatter.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He creeped into the room." but "He crept into the room." — The verb 'creep' is irregular; the past tense is 'crept', not 'creeped'.

## Usage notes

- Intransitive verb; often followed by a prepositional phrase of direction (e.g., 'into', 'out of', 'along').

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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.