creepy-crawly: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal
Quick answer
What does “creepy-crawly” mean?
A small, multi-legged creature (like an insect, spider, or worm) that provokes a feeling of fear or disgust due to its appearance and movement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, multi-legged creature (like an insect, spider, or worm) that provokes a feeling of fear or disgust due to its appearance and movement.
Used to describe anything that moves in a slow, unsettling, or insect-like manner, or that causes a similar feeling of unease.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English, but widely understood in American English. In American English, 'bug' is a more frequent neutral/informal term.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a childish or informal, slightly humorous tone. It emphasizes the unsettling physical sensation ('creep' and 'crawl') the creature causes.
Frequency
Common in informal spoken contexts in the UK; in the US, it is used but 'bugs' or specific names (e.g., spider, centipede) are often preferred.
Grammar
How to Use “creepy-crawly” in a Sentence
There is a creepy-crawly in the [noun: bath/sink].The [noun: garden/log pile] is full of creepy-crawlies.I don't like creepy-crawlies.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “creepy-crawly” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He had a creepy-crawly feeling up his spine.
- We explored the creepy-crawly tunnel.
American English
- The basement had a creepy-crawly vibe.
- I hate that creepy-crawly sensation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used in formal scientific contexts; informal term avoided in technical writing.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation, especially with children or when expressing personal aversion.
Technical
Not used; entomologists would use specific taxonomic names.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “creepy-crawly”
- Using it as a formal biological term.
- Pluralizing incorrectly ('creepy-crawlies', not 'creepy-crawlys').
- Using it to describe slimy creatures without legs (e.g., snails) - it typically implies legs.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can refer to any small, leggy creature that causes a shudder, including spiders, centipedes, and sometimes worms, though worms are not technically 'crawly' in the same way.
Yes, but it maintains an informal, often deliberately childish or humorous tone. Adults use it in casual speech, especially when expressing personal distaste.
'Bug' is a broader, more neutral informal term (especially in American English). 'Creepy-crawly' is more expressive, focusing on the unpleasant sensory experience the creature provokes.
The standard plural is 'creepy-crawlies'. The word is hyphenated, and the plural 's' is added to the end of the whole compound.
A small, multi-legged creature (like an insect, spider, or worm) that provokes a feeling of fear or disgust due to its appearance and movement.
Creepy-crawly is usually informal in register.
Creepy-crawly: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkriː.pi ˈkrɔː.li/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkriː.pi ˈkrɑː.li/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the creepy-crawlies (a feeling of fear or disgust induced by such creatures, e.g., 'It gives me the creepy-crawlies.')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine something that makes your skin CREEP and then you watch it CRAWLy on the floor = CREEPY-CRAWLY.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISGUST/ FEAR IS A PHYSICAL SENSATION (creeping/crawling on the skin).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'creepy-crawly' be LEAST appropriate?