creepy

creep-y · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease.

  2. 2.

    (of a person) Unpleasantly strange or unsettling in behavior.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    creepy-crawly — a small creature that crawls, especially an insect or spider
  • •
    creepy vibes — an unsettling or uncomfortable atmosphere

Related words

Antonyms: comforting, reassuring
See also: creep, creeps, eerie, spooky
Synonyms: eerie, scary, sinister, spooky, unsettling

Etymology

From creep + -y, from Old English creopan meaning "to creep, crawl." The sense of "causing fear" developed from the physical sensation of something crawling on the skin.