Creepy: meaning, definitions and examples

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creepy

 

[ ˈkriːpi ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

causing an unpleasant feeling of fear or unease; strange or eerie

Synonyms

eerie, scary, spooky.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
creepy

Used when something causes an uncomfortable feeling of fear or unease. Often associated with things that seem strange or unnatural.

  • That old abandoned house looks really creepy at night.
  • I got a creepy feeling when I noticed someone was following me.
scary

Used to describe something that causes fear or alarm. Can be used in a wide range of situations, from mild discomfort to intense fear.

  • The horror movie was really scary.
  • It was scary to walk home alone in the dark.
spooky

Used when something is mysteriously scary or strange, often related to ghosts or supernatural events. Generally used in a lighter context, sometimes even humorously.

  • The Halloween decorations were spooky but fun.
  • There was a spooky feeling in the abandoned mansion.
eerie

Used to describe something that is strange and frightening, often because it is very quiet or odd. Typically used in a more subtle, mysterious sense.

  • The forest was eerie with the fog rolling in.
  • There was an eerie silence after the power went out.

Examples of usage

  • The abandoned house had a creepy atmosphere.
  • She felt a creepy sensation down her spine.
Context #2 | Adjective

appearance

having a frightening or unnerving appearance

Synonyms

disturbing, haunting, unsettling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
creepy

When describing something that makes you feel nervous or scared in an uncomfortable way, often due to its strange or eerie nature.

  • The abandoned house at the end of the street was really creepy
  • That doll in the old attic is creepy
disturbing

Used when something causes feelings of anxiety, worry, or unpleasant emotions due to its shocking or frightening nature.

  • The news report on the disaster was very disturbing
  • She found the horror movie to be deeply disturbing
unsettling

Useful when something causes feelings of discomfort or worry because it disrupts your sense of normalcy or peace.

  • The sudden changes in the town's atmosphere were unsettling
  • It was unsettling to see the empty streets during the lockdown
haunting

Best for describing something that has a lingering, memorable impression, often in a sad or eerie way.

  • The haunting melody stayed with her for days
  • His haunting words echoed in my mind long after the conversation ended

Examples of usage

  • The creepy clown gave the children nightmares.
  • The old doll had a creepy smile.

Translations

Translations of the word "creepy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assustador

🇮🇳 डरावना

🇩🇪 gruselig

🇮🇩 menyeramkan

🇺🇦 моторошний

🇵🇱 przerażający

🇯🇵 不気味な (bukimi na)

🇫🇷 effrayant

🇪🇸 espeluznante

🇹🇷 ürkütücü

🇰🇷 소름 끼치는 (soreum kkichineun)

🇸🇦 مخيف

🇨🇿 děsivý

🇸🇰 strašidelný

🇨🇳 令人毛骨悚然的 (lìng rén máogǔ sǒngrán de)

🇸🇮 grozljiv

🇮🇸 óhugnanlegur

🇰🇿 қорқынышты

🇬🇪 შემაძრწუნებელი

🇦🇿 dəhşətli

🇲🇽 espeluznante

Etymology

The word 'creepy' originated in the 17th century, derived from the Old English word 'creopan' meaning 'to creep'. Over time, it evolved to describe something that elicits a feeling of fear or unease. The use of 'creepy' to describe eerie or unsettling things became more common in the 19th century, and it continues to be a popular term in modern English.

See also: creep, creeper, creepily, creeping.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,306, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.