Creepy
'kriːpi
Definitions
Causing a feeling of unease, fear, or disgust.
'kriːpi
Causing an unsettling feeling of fear or unease.
The old, abandoned mansion had a creepy atmosphere.
💡 Simply: Imagine something that makes you feel uneasy, like when you see a spider crawling slowly on the wall or when someone is giving you an unsettling stare. It's that feeling of 'uh-oh, this isn't right.'
👶 For kids: Something creepy makes you feel a little scared or yucky, like a monster under your bed.
More Examples
His sudden silence and intense stare gave me a creepy feeling.
The flickering lights and shadows made the hallway seem extra creepy.
How It's Used
"That abandoned house looks really creepy at night."
"The clown in that movie was incredibly creepy."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Creepy crawlies
Small, unpleasant insects or arachnids.
"The children were terrified of the creepy crawlies they found in the garden."
Give someone the creeps
To cause someone to feel uneasy or frightened.
"That old house gives me the creeps."
From the verb 'creep,' denoting a feeling of unease or fear, likely originating in the late 19th or early 20th century, related to the idea of something slowly and stealthily causing discomfort.
The term 'creepy' started to gain traction in the late 19th century but became more widespread in the 20th century, particularly in horror and suspense narratives.
Memory tip
Think of something that makes you want to slowly back away.
Word Origin
"to crawl, creep"