Crawling

/ˈkrɔː.lɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To move on hands and knees.
The baby was crawling across the living room floor.
To move slowly and carefully.
The soldiers were crawling through the grass to avoid detection.
To advance with difficulty or in a small space.
The hikers were crawling through a narrow cave.
adjective
Moving slowly, as if with difficulty.
The traffic was crawling during rush hour.
Describing something that evokes a feeling of discomfort or unease.
He had a crawling sensation on the back of his neck.

Etymology

Old English 'crāwlan', which means to crawl or to creep.

Common Phrases and Expressions

crawling with
filled with or full of something
crawling in one's skin
to feel uncomfortable or anxious

Related Words

crawl
to move slowly using the hands and knees
creep
to move slowly and quietly in order to avoid being noticed
drag
to pull or move with difficulty

Slang Meanings

to be very slow
The meeting was crawling on as everyone dragged their feet.
to feel anxious or uneasy
That movie had me crawling; I couldn't sit still.