creeper

American  

[kree-per] / ˈkri pər /

noun

1. a person or thing that creeps.

2. Botany. a plant that grows upon or just beneath the surface of the ground, or upon any other surface, sending out rootlets from the stem, as ivy and couch grass.

3. Often creepers. a one-piece garment for an infant, the lower portion resembling briefs or having legs extending to the knees, with snaps across the crotch for convenience in diapering.

4. Chiefly Northeastern U.S. a spiked iron plate worn on the shoe to prevent slipping on ice, rock, etc.

5. Also called brothel creeper.  Informal. a shoe with a thick, soft sole.

   She wore a miniskirt and creepers.

6. Also called cradle.  Automotive. a flat framework on casters, on which a mechanic lies while working under an automobile or the like.

7. Ornithology. any of various birds that creep or climb about on trees, especially of the family Certhiidae, as Certhia americana brown creeper, or tree creeper, of the Northern Hemisphere.

8. a domestic fowl having malformed, short legs, due to a genetic defect.

9. a grappling device for dragging a river, lake, etc.

10. Slang. Also creep a sneak thief.

11. Slang. a person who makes persistent sexual advances toward someone, or who cheats on a sexual partner.

12. Slang. creep.

13. Slang. a person who follows someone persistently or stealthily; a stalker.

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creeper British  

/ ˈkriːpə /

noun

1. a person or animal that creeps

2. a plant, such as the ivy or periwinkle, that grows by creeping

3. Also called: tree creeper.  any small songbird of the family Certhiidae of the N hemisphere, having a brown-and-white plumage and slender downward-curving bill. They creep up trees to feed on insects

4. a hooked instrument for dragging deep water

5. Also called: cradle.  a flat board or framework mounted on casters, used to lie on when working under cars

6. Also called: daisy cutter.  cricket a bowled ball that keeps low or travels along the ground

7. either of a pair of low iron supports for logs in a hearth

8. informal a shoe with a soft sole

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Etymology

Origin of creeper

First recorded before 1000; Middle English crepere, Old English crēopere; see origin at creep, -er ¹

Explanation

A creeper is a plant that grows very low to the ground or close to a wall or fence. Many types of ivy and other vines are creepers. You might want to create some privacy in your yard by planting a creeper beside your chain link fence — it will creep along the ground and up the fence itself, forming a leafy barrier between you and your neighbors. Other kinds of creepers are small birds that tend to stay on the ground or creep around in trees and bushes. You can also use this word informally to mean someone who acts in a creepy, or inappropriate, way.

Example Sentences

"It will only continue to expand in the next 20 years," predicts Creeper keyboardist and vocalist Hannah Greenwood.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2023

Creeper told Moreno, one of five Mexican Mafia members who had a claim to the prison yard.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2023

A sergeant and his task force embark on a mission to destroy the Creeper on its last day of feeding.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2019

In the late 1960s, Ditko headed to DC Comics, where he created Hawk and Dove and the Creeper before falling ill again.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2018

"Perhaps," he said pleasantly, "only the beginning was foolish, and you'll settle down after a bit and get quite fond of Creeper Cottage."

From The Princess Priscilla's Fortnight by Elizabeth