Creepily Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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creepily

[หˆkriหpษ™li ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

describe actions or behavior

In a manner that causes discomfort or unease; in a way that is eerie or unsettling.

Synonyms

eerie, spookily, unsettling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
creepily

Used to describe something or someone that causes an uncomfortable feeling of fear or anxiety, often in a way that feels unnatural or strange.

  • He creepily stared at me from across the room.
  • The old doll's eyes moved creepily as if it was watching.
eerie

Refers to something mysterious and frightening, often associated with a sense of the supernatural or the unknown.

  • The abandoned house had an eerie silence that made my skin crawl.
  • There was an eerie glow coming from the forest at night.
unsettling

Used to describe something that makes you feel worried or uncomfortable, often without clear reasons but is generally less about supernatural and more about psychological discomfort.

  • Her piercing gaze was unsettling, making it hard to look away.
  • The news of the accident was deeply unsettling.
spookily

Describes an event or situation that is uncanny or that causes a sudden feeling of fear, often in a supernatural or ghost-like way.

  • The wind was blowing spookily through the trees.
  • Spookily, the lights flickered just as he entered the room.

Examples of usage

  • She smiled creepily as she watched him from across the room.
  • The old house looked creepily abandoned in the moonlight.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, scary stories often use a creepy atmosphere to create tension, making viewers or readers feel uneasy.
  • Songs like 'Somebody's Watching Me' evoke a sense of feeling watched, which can be experienced as creepily unsettling.

Psychology

  • The feeling associated with creepiness often triggers our 'fight or flight' response, making us aware of potential danger.
  • An uncanny experience, where something familiar yet strange occurs, can lead to feelings of discomfort or creepiness.

Literature

  • Creepily descriptive writing can enhance suspense in horror stories, pulling readers into a dark, haunting atmosphere.
  • Authors like H.P. Lovecraft have used creepily ambiguous settings to provoke fear of the unknown in their narratives.

Origin of 'creepily'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'creep' has roots in Old English, meaning to move slowly and quietly, which adds to its eerie feeling.
  • The adverb 'creepily' combines 'creepy' and the '-ly' suffix, showing how something can happen in a strange manner.

The word 'creepily' is derived from the adjective 'creepy', which originated in the late 19th century. The suffix '-ly' is added to 'creepy' to form the adverb 'creepily', indicating the manner in which something is done. The term is often used to describe actions or behavior that cause discomfort or unease, emphasizing an eerie or unsettling feeling.


See also: creep, creeper, creeping, creepy.