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Crawly: meaning, definitions and examples

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crawly

 

[ˈkrɔːli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

spooky

Causing a feeling of fear and disgust; eerie and unsettling.

Synonyms

creepy, eerie, unsettling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crawly

This word is often used to describe small creatures that move along the ground, such as insects or spiders, giving a sensation of things crawling on your skin.

  • The garden was full of crawly critters, making her feel uneasy
  • She couldn't stand the thought of something crawly on her skin
creepy

Use this word when something or someone gives you a feeling of fear or discomfort, usually without obvious threat, often associated with ghosts, mysterious events, or someone's behavior.

  • The old house at the end of the street looks really creepy at night
  • His stare was so creepy that she had to look away
unsettling

Use this for situations that make you feel anxious, uneasy, or disturbed, but not necessarily scared. It often involves unexpected events or disturbing imagery.

  • She found his comments about the future rather unsettling
  • Watching the documentary about the epidemic had a very unsettling effect on him
eerie

This word fits situations where the atmosphere is strange and makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, often related to silence, fog, or unnatural occurrences.

  • The forest was eerily quiet, making every small sound seem amplified
  • There was an eerie glow coming from the abandoned building

Examples of usage

  • The crawly feeling I get when walking through the abandoned house is enough to make me want to leave.
  • The crawly sensation on my skin made me shiver with unease.
Context #2 | Adjective

touch

Having a sensation like insects crawling on one's skin.

Synonyms

itchy, prickly, tingling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
crawly

Used to describe a sensation similar to something small moving on the skin, often causing discomfort or unease.

  • After walking through the spider webs, she felt a crawly sensation all over her arms
tingling

Used to describe a shifting, pins-and-needles sensation that can occur when a limb 'falls asleep' or after prolonged pressure.

  • After sitting cross-legged for too long, she felt a tingling sensation in her feet
itchy

Used to describe the urge to scratch an area of skin due to irritation, dryness, or allergy. Often associated with skin conditions or insect bites.

  • The mosquito bites made his arms very itchy
prickly

Used to describe a sharp, stinging sensation often resulting from contact with something rough or irritating, like certain fabrics or plants.

  • She touched the cactus and immediately felt a prickly sensation on her fingers

Examples of usage

  • After seeing a spider in the room, I couldn't help but feel crawly for the rest of the day.
  • She screamed as she felt a crawly touch on her arm.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'crawly' comes from the Old English 'crāwlian,' which means to move on hands and knees.
  • This term is related to the word 'crawl,' describing a slow or creeping movement.

Biology

  • Many animals, like ants and caterpillars, are classified as crawlers because of their movement style.
  • Crawling helps many creatures navigate tight spaces and avoid predators while foraging for food.

Psychology

  • The term 'crawly' can evoke feelings of discomfort or fear, often related to phobias of insects or other small creatures.
  • Research shows that people often react with a heightened sense of alertness or disgust when encountering crawly creatures.

Pop Culture

  • Crawly creatures often appear in animated films and cartoons featuring characters that are funny or spooky.
  • In horror movies, the term 'crawly' can describe entities or spirits that move in unsettling ways.

Literature

  • The word appears frequently in poetry and stories to describe the unsettling movement of insects or creatures.
  • Authors often use 'crawly' to create vivid imagery in scenes that evoke tension or unease.

Translations

Translations of the word "crawly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rastejante

🇮🇳 रेंगने वाला (Reṅganē vālā)

🇩🇪 krabbelnd

🇮🇩 merangkak

🇺🇦 плазуючий

🇵🇱 pełzający

🇯🇵 這う (Hau)

🇫🇷 rampant

🇪🇸 reptante

🇹🇷 emekleyen

🇰🇷 기어 다니는 (Gieo danineun)

🇸🇦 زاحف (Zāḥif)

🇨🇿 plazivý

🇸🇰 plazivý

🇨🇳 爬行的 (Páxíng de)

🇸🇮 plazeč

🇮🇸 skríðandi

🇰🇿 жыланбасты

🇬🇪 მოცოცავი (Motsotsavi)

🇦🇿 sürünən

🇲🇽 reptante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,883, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.