crawl

crawl · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To move forward on the hands and knees or by dragging the body close to the ground.

  2. 2.

    A slow pace or speed.

  3. 3.

    To move very slowly.

  4. 4.

    A swimming stroke with alternating arm movements.

  5. 5.

    A bar crawl; visiting multiple bars in succession.

  6. 6.

    To be covered or infested with something.

  7. 7.

    To feel as if insects are moving over one's skin.

Phrases & expressions

  • make one's skin crawl — to cause a feeling of disgust or horror
  • pub crawl — visiting multiple pubs in one evening
  • crawl space — a narrow space under a building

Related words

Antonyms: dash, run, sprint
See also: creep, inch, swim, walk
Synonyms: creep, drag, inch, slither

Etymology

From Old Norse "krafla" meaning to claw or scratch, related to "crab" and its sideways movement.