Crept
/krɛpt/
verbB1past tense
Definition
"Crept" means moved slowly and quietly, usually to avoid attention or to be careful. It often describes how a person or animal moves when they do not want to be seen or heard.
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⚡ See It in Action
Moved slowly and quietly to avoid being seen or heard
- •She crept into the room so no one would hear her.
- •The mouse crept along the wall, trying to stay hidden.
- •He crept up behind his friend to surprise him.
(Less common) Gradually and quietly appeared or spread
- •A smile crept onto her face after hearing the good news.
- •Fear crept into his heart as the storm began.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "crept" like "walk," but much slower and quieter—like tiptoeing very carefully
- ✓Picture a cat moving softly through a dark room without making noise
- ✓It's the feeling when you try not to wake someone by moving gently
- ✓Sounds like "crept" → imagine a secret step that is soft and careful, like a quiet "step"
- ✓Remember a spy or a thief sneaking around without being noticed in movies
- ✓NOT like "run" (fast and loud), "crept" is slow and quiet
- ✓NOT like "jump" (sudden and loud), "crept" is smooth and gentle movement
- ✓NOT like "march" (strong and loud steps), "crept" is soft and careful
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Sneaked: moved quietly and secretly (Use when the movement is secret or possibly bad)
- •Tiptoed: walked quietly on the toes (Use when emphasizing quiet walking on toes)
- •Slid: moved smoothly without noise (Use when movement is smooth and flat, not stepping)
- •Moved quietly: general phrase (Use in simple or clear explanations)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: base "creep" + past tense suffix "-ed"
- •Etymology: Old English "creopan," meaning to move slowly or crawl
- •Historical development: Used since Old English times to describe slow, quiet movement, often with a sense of caution or secrecy
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe quiet, careful movement or gradual appearance of feelings or things
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When have you crept quietly to avoid waking someone or being noticed? How did it feel?
•Can "crept" be used for things other than movement? What feelings or changes might "creep" describe?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.She crept ___ the room because she did not want to wake anyone ___.
2.The cat crept ___ the garden, moving so quietly that no one ___ it.
3.Unlike running or walking loudly, crept means moving ___ and ___.
4.A feeling of sadness crept ___ him slowly after hearing the bad news.
5.He crept ___ behind his friend to ___ him with a surprise.
6.When someone crept into a room, they usually want to avoid ___.
7.The shadow crept ___ the wall as the sun went down, moving very ___.