First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1crawl
verb \ˈkrȯl\
: to move on your hands and knees
: to move with the body close to or on the ground
: to move slowly
Full Definition of CRAWL
intransitive verb
1
: to move slowly in a prone position without or as if without the use of limbs <the snake crawled into its hole>
2
: to move or progress slowly or laboriously <traffic crawls along at 10 miles an hour>
3
: to advance by guile or servility <crawling into favor by toadying to his boss>
4
: to spread by extending stems or tendrils <a crawling vine>
5
a : to be alive or swarming with or as if with creeping things <a kitchen crawling with ants> b : to have the sensation of insects creeping over one <the story made her flesh crawl>
6
: to fail to stay evenly spread —used of paint, varnish, or glaze
transitive verb
1
: to move upon in or as if in a creeping manner <all the creatures that crawl the earth>
2
: to reprove harshly <they got no good right to crawl me for what I wrote — Marjorie K. Rawlings>
See crawl defined for English-language learners
See crawl defined for kids
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Origin of CRAWL
Middle English, from Old Norse krafla
Related to CRAWL
2crawl
noun
: a very slow speed
: a way of swimming in which the swimmer lies facing down in the water and moves first one arm over the head and then the other while kicking the legs
Full Definition of CRAWL
1
a : the act or action of crawling b : slow or laborious progress c chiefly British : a going from one pub to another
2
: a fast swimming stroke executed in a prone position with alternating overarm strokes and a flutter kick
3
: lettering that moves vertically or horizontally across a television or motion-picture screen to give information (as performer credits or news bulletins)
See crawl defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CRAWL
1818
CRAWLING Defined for Kids
1crawl
verb \ˈkrȯl\
crawledcrawl·ing
Definition of CRAWL for Kids
1
: to move slowly with the body close to the ground : move on hands and knees
2
: to go very slowly or carefully <Traffic was crawling along.>
3
: to be covered with or have the feeling of being covered with creeping things <The food was crawling with flies.>
2crawl
noun
Definition of CRAWL for Kids
1
: the act or motion of going very slowly <Traffic is at a crawl.>
2
: a swimming stroke performed by moving first one arm over the head and then the other while kicking the legs
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