creep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "creep" is correct and usable in written English, depending on the context.
It can be used to describe someone who behaves in a socially awkward or unsettling manner, or to refer to a gradual movement or increase. Example: "He always seems to creep around the office, making everyone feel uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At first my mother did not want me to be a sprinter so I used to creep out of the house late and night and practise my running at a running track".

The Guardian

Reports suggest an extra 250,000 primary places are needed this year, and with land costs escalating in inner cities and budgets shrinking, fulfilling the need will be difficult, but it is right to say that it should not be done by allowing class sizes to creep upwards.

The Guardian

In America, male body shapes will wax and wane – over a period of half a decade, they might go from the "jock" to something skinny and then creep back to the current vogue, the "swimmer's" body – that is, not such a meathead that you could beat anybody up, but not so lanky that you look pubescent.

The Guardian - Film

As we risk being drowned in the din, and the demands of the attention economy creep upwards, we should spare a thought for the millions blogging, uploading and tweeting in the hope someone will notice.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the 12 months to March, wages grew by just 2.3% – the lowest on record: Hockey will hope wages growth improves, because lower growth means less bracket creep, which in turn means less income tax revenue.

The Guardian - Business

But war is still war, and the dangers of unintended consequences, mission creep and cracking on for the sake of cracking on lurk behind every sandhill.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They creep into domestic law enforcement, either with weaponry like with the militarization of police, or interrogation practices.

The Guardian

That mission creep first led JIEDDO to view expansively its minimal intelligence authorities related to foreign IED threats.

The Guardian

Downing Street denied that it was being dragged into a form of mission creep, saying: "It is consistent with our approach so far in tackling the evil that is Isis.

The Guardian

The examples are endless, and all we can predict is that connected devices will likely creep into most businesses, just the way computers and the web have.

The Guardian - Tech

This means that British information could be used by the Iraqi military in planning attacks against jihadis – a development that brings Britain closer to a direct combat role, which could cause alarm among some MPs who are concerned about mission creep.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "creep" to describe a person, be mindful of the negative connotations it carries. It often implies that someone is behaving in a way that is unsettling or predatory. Consider alternative words like "linger" or "observe" if a less judgmental tone is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "creep" only in its literal sense of slow movement. The word often has a figurative meaning related to gradual changes or unsettling behavior. Make sure to understand the intended meaning when interpreting or using "creep" in writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "creep" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it describes slow, stealthy movement or gradual increase. As a noun, it can refer to the act of creeping or, more commonly, an unpleasant person. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "creep" functions as both a verb and a noun, with varied connotations depending on the context. As a verb, it signifies slow or stealthy movement, while as a noun, it often denotes an unpleasant person. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its common usage in news and media, as well as formal and business settings. While generally grammatically correct, its informal use requires caution due to its potential negativity. Be mindful of the context and the implications of its usage to ensure clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crawl

Refers to moving slowly on hands and knees or close to the ground, similar to the literal sense of "creep".

sneak

Implies moving quietly and secretly to avoid being noticed, akin to the surreptitious sense of "creep".

inch

Suggests a slow and gradual movement forward, comparable to the incremental nature of "creep".

slide

Conveys a smooth, continuous movement, similar to how something might "creep" into a situation.

worm

Describes moving in a winding or contorted way, similar to the subtle and often unseen manner of "creep".

insinuate

Indicates introducing something gradually and subtly, like an idea that might "creep" into someone's mind.

encroach

Suggests gradually advancing beyond acceptable limits, akin to the unwelcome spread implied by "creep".

advance slowly

Emphasizes the gradual and progressive movement, mirroring the slow progression of "creep".

grow gradually

Highlights the incremental increase or development, similar to how something might "creep" over time.

progress imperceptibly

Focuses on the subtle and almost undetectable nature of the change, akin to the unnoticeable movement of "creep".

FAQs

How can "creep" be used in a sentence?

The word "creep" can be used as a verb to describe slow movement, as in, "The fog began to "creep" into the valley." It can also be used as a noun, often with a negative connotation, to describe an unpleasant person.

What is an alternative to calling someone a "creep"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "weirdo", "oddball", or "strange person" instead of ""creep"". These alternatives may be less harsh or judgmental.

What does it mean when someone says something is giving them the "creeps"?

To say something gives you the "creeps" means it makes you feel uneasy, nervous, or disgusted. It suggests a strong feeling of discomfort or aversion.

Is "creep" always negative in connotation?

While "creep" often has negative connotations, especially when referring to a person, it can also be used neutrally to describe a gradual movement or change, like "mission "creep"" or "bracket "creep"".