The word "crept" is spelled with a silent "p" at the end, making it a bit tricky to pronounce for non-native speakers. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /krɛpt/. The first two sounds, /kr/, represent the initial consonant cluster, with the "c" pronounced as a "k" sound. The following vowel sound, /ɛ/, is the same as the "e" sound in "bet." Finally, the ending consonant cluster, /pt/, should be pronounced without actually pronouncing the "p" at the end.
Crept is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "creep." It is a verb that typically refers to the action of moving slowly, stealthily, or inconspicuously, especially in a manner similar to a creeping animal.
When something or someone creeps, it means that they move quietly and cautiously, often trying to avoid being noticed or to surprise others. Creeping can involve making slow and careful movements, often with a sense of sneakiness or circumspection.
Crept can also be used metaphorically to describe a slow and gradual advancement or progression of something. For example, it can refer to the gradual encroachment of an undesired condition or a gradual increase in power or influence. This usage suggests a subtle, almost imperceptible spread or growth.
In the present tense, the verb "creep" can also denote a feeling of unease, discomfort, or fear, often related to something eerie, spooky, or uncanny. It can describe the sensation of having one's skin crawl, caused by a sense of being watched, pursued, or invaded.
Overall, "crept" is a verb used to describe slow and deliberate movements, either in a literal or metaphorical sense. Whether referring to a physical action or an intangible concept, it denotes a careful, stealthy, or subtly advancing behavior.
See under creep.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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.
The word "crept" has its origins in the Old English language. It can be traced back to the verb "creopan", which means "to creep". "Creopan" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "kreupanan", with a similar meaning. This, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "greup". Over time, the word "creep" evolved to its past tense form "crept", which is still used in English today.