crawl
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /krɔl/
KK: /krɔl/
intransitive verb
Definition
To move slowly on your hands and knees or by dragging your body along the ground.
Example
The baby began to crawl across the floor.
Tense Forms
Past: crawled
Past Participle: crawled
Conversation
Did you see that baby crawl across the floor?
Yeah, it was so cute!
I can't believe how fast they crawl these days.
Right? They grow up way too quickly!
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
creep
slither
slink
Antonyms
dash
race
hasten
noun
Definition
A very slow movement, often on hands and knees, or a type of swimming stroke.
Example
The baby learned to crawl before she could walk.
Conversation
Did you see the traffic on the way here?
Yeah, it was moving at a total crawl!
I thought I was going to be late for our meeting.
Root Explanation
Crawl originates from Old English 'crāwlian', meaning to move on hands and knees. The word describes the action of moving slowly and laboriously on the ground.
Memory Tip
Imagine moving slowly on your hands and knees, which is exactly what 'crawl' means.
Visually Confused Words
scrawl
acrawl
upcrawl
scrawly
becrawl
wrawl
trawl
scraw