Creep
/kriːp/
verbnounB1
Definition
As a verb, "creep" means to move carefully and slowly, usually to avoid being seen or heard. It is often used when someone or something moves quietly and close to the ground or surface. As a noun, "creep" refers to a person who makes others feel uncomfortable because of strange or unpleasant behavior.
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⚡ See It in Action
To move slowly and quietly, often to avoid being noticed
- •The cat crept across the room without making a sound.
- •He tried to creep past the sleeping dog.
- •Shadows crept along the walls as the sun set.
A person who behaves in a strange or unpleasant way
- •That man is a real creep; he makes me feel uncomfortable.
- •She felt like a creep when she stared at the stranger.
- •Don’t be such a creep by following people around.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "creep" like "walk" (A1 word), but very slowly and quietly, almost like sneaking without being seen
- ✓Picture a cat moving softly on the floor, trying not to wake anyone up
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone is moving behind you quietly and you feel a little scared or uneasy
- ✓Sounds like "creep" → imagine something slowly crawling like a small bug or shadow moving quietly
- ✓In stories, a spy or thief often creeps around to avoid being caught
- ✓NOT like "run" (fast and loud), "creep" is slow and quiet movement
- ✓NOT like "walk" (normal speed and sound), "creep" is secret and careful
- ✓NOT like "glow" (makes light), "creep" is about movement, not light
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Crawl: to move on hands and knees or very slowly (Use when the movement is close to the ground and slow)
- •Sneak: to move quietly and secretly (Use when the action is secret or sneaky)
- •Slide: to move smoothly over a surface (Use when the movement is smooth and quiet but not necessarily slow)
- •Stalk: to follow someone quietly and secretly, often with bad intentions (Use when the movement is secret and threatening)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (single root word, no prefix or suffix)
- •Etymology: Old English "creopan," meaning to creep or crawl slowly
- •Historical development: Used since Old English times to describe slow, quiet movement, especially close to the ground
- •Modern usage: Used for quiet, slow movement and also as a slang word for a strange or unpleasant person
- •Interesting fact: As a noun, "creep" is informal and often used to describe someone who acts in a way that makes others uncomfortable
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When is it useful or important to move by creeping rather than walking or running?
•Why do you think the word "creep" can describe both a kind of movement and a strange person?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The cat tried to creep ___ the sleeping dog without making any ___.
2.When someone is a creep, they often make others feel ___ or uncomfortable.
3.Unlike running or walking, to creep means to move very ___ and quietly.
4.He tried to creep ___ the room so no one would see him enter.
5.People sometimes say "creep ___" when someone follows others too closely or in a strange way.
6.Shadows ___ slowly as the sun went down, making the room darker.
7.You should not creep ___ someone’s private space because it can make them feel scared.