What does the word “Creep” mean in English?

Let’s examine the word “creep” [kriːp] in English. It can be used as a verb (meaning to move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being noticed) and as a noun (meaning a slow movement or an unpleasant person). It is an irregular verb, and its forms are presented in the table below.

Infinitive	Past Simple	Past Participle
to creep	crept	crept

Consider “creep” as a phrasal verb with examples and their meanings.

Phrasal verbs with “creep” in English

Creep in

Meaning: To enter gradually and often surreptitiously into a place.
Example: “The fog began to creep in from the sea, covering the coastline.”
Meaning: Start to be noticeable
Example: “Mistakes started to creep in.”

Creep out on

Meaning: To do the same activity for a very long time.
Example: “He’s been creeping out on that computer game all day.”

Creep over

Meaning: Start to have a negative feeling.
Example: “Fear crept over me as I walked through the graveyard.”

Creep up on

Meaning: Approach without someone realising.
Example: “The exams just seemed to creep up on me”.

Creep out

Meaning: To cause someone to feel uneasy or uncomfortable, often due to strange or unpleasant behavior.
Example: “The abandoned building really creeps me out with its creaking sounds.”

Creep up (on/upon)

Meaning: To approach quietly or unnoticed.
Example: “She didn’t notice him until he crept up on her from behind.”

Creep away

Meaning: To move quietly and carefully away from a place or situation.
Example: “He decided to creep away from the boring meeting and go for a walk outside.”

Creep along

Meaning: To move slowly and stealthily.
Example: “The cat crept along the edge of the room, watching for any movement.”

Creep into

Meaning: To gradually become a part of something. Become noticeable in something.
Example: “Doubts began to creep into his mind as he heard the unsettling news.”

Creep out of

Meaning: To exit quietly or furtively from a place.
Example: “He crept out of the party without saying goodbye to anyone.”

Creep by

Meaning: To pass by slowly and unnoticed.
Example: “Time seemed to creep by as she waited anxiously for the test results.”

Creep through

Meaning: To move cautiously through a narrow space.
Example: “They had to creep through the dense forest to avoid being seen.”

Creep forward

Meaning: To advance slowly and carefully.
Example: “The troops crept forward under the cover of darkness.”

Creep off

Meaning: To sneak away quietly.
Example: “He crept off to bed while everyone else was still chatting.”

Creep around

Meaning: To move quietly and cautiously around a place.
Example: “The spy crept around the enemy base, trying to gather information.”

Creep about

Meaning: To move secretly and stealthily.
Example: “The thieves were creeping about in the shadows, planning their next move.”

Creep down

Meaning: To descend slowly and quietly.
Example: “As night fell, a chill began to creep down from the mountains.”

Creep past

Meaning: To move quietly past someone or something.
Example: “She tried to creep past her boss’s office without being noticed.”

Phrasal verbs with “creep” in English have various meanings related to slow, cautious movement or gradual approach/manifestation of something. Some phrasal verbs, such as “creep up on” and “creep away,” describe the physical movement of a person or animal. Others, such as “creep in” and “creep into,” refer to more abstract concepts such as the emergence of thoughts, feelings, or changes.