How Do You Spell CREEPING?

Pronunciation: [kɹˈiːpɪŋ] (IPA)

The word "creeping" is spelled with a double 'e' after the 'p' due to the English language's silent 'e' rule. When a word ends in a consonant plus 'e', such as 'creep', the 'e' is often used to indicate that the preceding vowel is pronounced with a long sound. In this case, the 'e' at the end of 'creeping' is silent, but it alters the sound of the preceding 'e' to create the long 'ee' sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "creeping" is /ˈkriːpɪŋ/.

CREEPING Meaning and Definition

  1. Creeping, as a verb, refers to the action of moving or advancing gradually and silently, often through a deliberate effort to avoid detection or to be inconspicuous. It is the act of creeping, typically with a slow and deliberate pace, particularly observed in animals, people, or even certain objects. In the literal sense, it is commonly associated with the stealthy and cautious movement employed by creatures like insects, snakes, or predators to approach prey or to escape potential dangers. This slow, gradual motion is characterized by a quiet and inconspicuous manner, often achieved by keeping close to the ground or other surfaces.

    However, the term "creeping" can also be used metaphorically to describe social behavior or certain actions. In this context, it denotes a similar concept of gradually invading or encroaching upon someone or something, usually with an insidious or unwanted intent. For instance, the term may be employed to describe a person's slow and persistent encroachment upon someone's personal space or boundaries, often causing discomfort or unease. Additionally, "creeping" can also refer to the continuous but subtle changes in policies, beliefs, or practices that result in certain undesired effects, usually due to their imperceptible nature.

    In summary, the definition of "creeping" encompasses both the literal act of silent and gradual movement observed in nature, as well as the metaphorical concept of slowly invading or encroaching upon someone or something with subtle intentions or consequences.

  2. Having a tendency to creep or the habit of creeping.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for CREEPING *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for CREEPING

Etymology of CREEPING

The word "creeping" is a present participle form of the verb "creep". The etymology of the word "creep" can be traced back to the Old English word "creopan", which meant to crawl or move slowly, akin to the Middle Low German word "krupen". Both these terms are believed to be derived from Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European roots. In general, the word "creep" has maintained its meaning of moving slowly or stealthily over the centuries.

Idioms with the word CREEPING

  • creeping-crud The idiom "creeping crud" refers to a colloquial term used to describe an illness or physical ailment, typically a mild or unspecified form of sickness. It can be used to describe a general feeling of being unwell, with symptoms that may include fatigue, malaise, or discomfort, but without a specific diagnosis or severe symptoms.
  • creeping Char·lie "Creeping Charlie" is a term often used to refer to an invasive creeping plant, specifically Glechoma hederacea, that is difficult to eradicate and can quickly spread and take over a garden or lawn. It is often used metaphorically to describe something that spreads rapidly or uncontrollably.

Similar spelling words for CREEPING

Plural form of CREEPING is CREEPINGS

Conjugate verb Creeping

CONDITIONAL

I would creep
we would creep
you would creep
he/she/it would creep
they would creep

FUTURE

I will creep
we will creep
you will creep
he/she/it will creep
they will creep

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have crept
we will have crept
you will have crept
he/she/it will have crept
they will have crept

PAST

I crept
we crept
you crept
he/she/it crept
they crept

PAST PERFECT

I had crept
we had crept
you had crept
he/she/it had crept
they had crept

PRESENT

I creep
we creep
you creep
he/she/it creeps
they creep

PRESENT PERFECT

I have crept
we have crept
you have crept
he/she/it has crept
they have crept
I am creeping
we are creeping
you are creeping
he/she/it is creeping
they are creeping
I was creeping
we were creeping
you were creeping
he/she/it was creeping
they were creeping
I will be creeping
we will be creeping
you will be creeping
he/she/it will be creeping
they will be creeping
I have been creeping
we have been creeping
you have been creeping
he/she/it has been creeping
they have been creeping
I had been creeping
we had been creeping
you had been creeping
he/she/it had been creeping
they had been creeping
I will have been creeping
we will have been creeping
you will have been creeping
he/she/it will have been creeping
they will have been creeping
I would have crept
we would have crept
you would have crept
he/she/it would have crept
they would have crept
I would be creeping
we would be creeping
you would be creeping
he/she/it would be creeping
they would be creeping
I would have been creeping
we would have been creeping
you would have been creeping
he/she/it would have been creeping
they would have been creeping

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