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Synonyms

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of crawly

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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 • May 23, 2024

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 • Oct. 13, 2022

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 • Sep. 16, 2022

Phobias of creepy, crawly animals such as insects, snakes and mice are higher than for other types of animals.

From Washington Post • Apr. 23, 2021

All sorts of things were in it: clumps of poo, crawly mites, more of his hair.

From "Endangered" by Eliot Schrefer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.