crawling
word · lemma: crawl
/ˈkɹɔɫɪŋ/
KRAW-ling
/kɹˈɔːlɪŋ/
KRAW-ling
Definition
Moving very slowly close to the ground, usually on hands and knees or with the body low. It can describe babies, insects, soldiers, or anything moving at a very slow pace.
Usage & Nuances
Often used literally for babies or animals: 'The baby is crawling.' It is also common in phrases like 'traffic is crawling' or 'time is crawling' to mean moving very slowly. Don't confuse it with 'creeping', which often suggests quiet, careful movement.
Spanish: gateando - arrastrándosePortuguese (BR): engatinhando - rastejandoPortuguese (PT): a gatinhar - a rastejarChinese (Simplified): 爬行 - 匍匐前进Chinese (Traditional): 爬行 - 匍匐前進Hindi: रेंगना - घुटनों के बल चलनाArabic: يزحف - يحبوBengali: হাঁটা - হামাগুড়িRussian: ползти - медленно двигатьсяJapanese: はい回る - のろのろ進むVietnamese: bòKorean: 기어가다Turkish: emeklemek - sürünmek - ağır ilerlemekUrdu: رینگناIndonesian: merangkak
Example Sentences
The baby is crawling on the floor.
basic
A small bug was crawling up the wall.
basic
Traffic is crawling this morning.
basic
We were crawling through downtown for almost an hour.
natural
Time was crawling while I waited for the results.
natural
After the long hike, I was crawling into bed.
natural