crawly

American  

[kraw-lee] / ˈkrɔ li /

adjective

crawlier, crawliest

1. that crawls; noting or describing things, as worms or insects, that crawl, especially imparting a queasy feeling; creepy.

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noun

plural

crawlies

1. a crawling insect, small reptile, etc.

crawly British  

/ ˈkrɔːlɪ /

adjective

1. informal feeling or causing a sensation like creatures crawling on one's skin

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Etymology

Origin of crawly

First recorded in 1855–60; crawl ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

The answer to this long-standing question may be one step closer thanks to research on the crawly living twigs known as stick insects.

From Science Magazine

When he had White, he often played the Grob, an opening in which a pawn near the edge of the board is pushed two squares, creating weaknesses around the king, or the Creepy Crawly, in which White starts by pushing pawns one square on opposite sides of the board.

From New York Times

Join this family-friendly event to celebrate and demystify some of the creepy, crawly and mysterious creatures we coexist with noon-6 p.m.

From Seattle Times

"Casa Tomada" is part of a larger exhibition, "Crawly Creatures", which will start Sept. 30 and run up until Jan. 15, 2023.

From Reuters

It focuses on the ever-changing perceptions of crawly creatures, such as ants but also toads, snakes and spiders, in the arts and sciences.

From Reuters

Related Words

• bizarre
• creepy
• eldritch
• fantastic
• frightening
• ghostly
• mysterious
• scary
• strange
• supernatural
• uncanny
• weird