credit|worthy /kre d I twɜː r ði/ also credit-worthy ADJ A creditworthy person or organization is one who can safely be lent money or allowed to have goods on credit, for example because in the past they have always paid back what they owe. □ Building societies make loans to creditworthy customers. ● credit|worthi|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] They now take extra steps to verify the creditworthiness of customers.
cre|do /kriː doʊ, kre I -/ (credos ) N‑COUNT A credo is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way a person lives or works. [FORMAL ] □ Lord Clarendon's liberal credo was one of the foundations of his political conduct.
cre|du|lity /kr I djuː l I ti, [AM ] -duː -/ N‑UNCOUNT Credulity is a willingness to believe that something is real or true. [WRITTEN ] □ The plot does stretch credulity.
credu|lous /kre dʒʊləs/ ADJ If you describe someone as credulous , you have a low opinion of them because they are too ready to believe what people tell them and are easily deceived. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ …quack doctors charming money out of the pockets of credulous health-hungry citizens.
creed /kriː d/ (creeds )
1 N‑COUNT A creed is a set of beliefs, principles, or opinions that strongly influence the way people live or work. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …their devotion to their creed of self-help.
2 N‑COUNT A creed is a religion. [FORMAL ] □ The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.
creek /kriː k/ (creeks )
1 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A creek is a narrow place where the sea comes a long way into the land. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT [oft in names] A creek is a small stream or river. [AM ] □ Follow Austin Creek for a few miles.
3 PHRASE If someone is up the creek , they are in a bad or difficult situation, or are wrong in some way. You can also say that someone is up the creek without a paddle . [INFORMAL ]
creep /kriː p/ (creeps , creeping , crept )
1 VERB When people or animals creep somewhere, they move quietly and slowly. □ [V adv/prep] Back I go to the hotel and creep up to my room. □ [V adv/prep] The rabbit creeps away and hides in a hole.
2 VERB If something creeps somewhere, it moves very slowly. □ [V adv/prep] Mist had crept in again from the sea.
3 VERB If something creeps in or creeps back, it begins to occur or becomes part of something without people realizing or without them wanting it. □ [V in ] Insecurity might creep in. □ [V + into ] An increasing ratio of mistakes, perhaps induced by tiredness, crept into her game. □ [V adv/prep] …a proposal that crept through unnoticed at the National Council in December.
4 VERB If a rate or number creeps up to a higher level, it gradually reaches that level. □ [V + up to ] The inflation rate has been creeping up to 9.5 per cent. □ [V up ] The average number of students in each class is creeping up from three to four. [Also V adj]
5 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a creep , you mean that you dislike them a great deal, especially because they are insincere and flatter people. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
6 PHRASE If someone or something gives you the creeps , they make you feel very nervous or frightened. [INFORMAL ] □ I always hated that statue. It gave me the creeps.
7 to make someone's flesh creep → see flesh
▸ creep up on
1 PHRASAL VERB If you creep up on someone, you move slowly closer to them without being seen by them. □ [V P P n] They'll creep up on you while you're asleep.
2 PHRASAL VERB If a feeling or state creeps up on you, you hardly notice that it is beginning to affect you or happen to you. □ [V P P n] The desire to be a mother may creep up on you unexpectedly.
creep|er /kriː pə r / (creepers ) N‑COUNT Creepers are plants with long stems that wind themselves around objects.
creepy /kriː pi/ (creepier , creepiest ) ADJ If you say that something or someone is creepy , you mean they make you feel very nervous or frightened. [INFORMAL ] □ There were certain places that were really creepy at night.
creepy-crawly /kriː pi krɔː li/ (creepy-crawlies ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] You can refer to insects as creepy-crawlies when they give you a feeling of fear or disgust. This word is mainly used by children. [mainly BRIT , INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]
cre|mate /kr I me I t, [AM ] kriː me I t/ (cremates , cremating , cremated ) VERB [usu passive] When someone is cremated , their dead body is burned, usually as part of a funeral service. □ [be V -ed] She wants Chris to be cremated. ● cre|ma|tion /kr I me I ʃ ə n/ (cremations ) N‑VAR □ At Miss Garbo's request there was a cremation after a private ceremony. □ Half of California's deceased opt for cremation.
crema|to|rium /kre mətɔː riəm/ (crematoria /kre mətɔː riə/ or crematoriums ) N‑COUNT A crematorium is a building in which the bodies of dead people are burned.
crema|tory /kriː mətɔːri/ (crematories ) N‑COUNT A crematory is the same as a crematorium . [AM ]
crème de la crème /kre m də lɑː kre m/ N‑SING If you refer to someone or something as the crème de la crème , you mean they are the very best person or thing of their kind. [JOURNALISM , APPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] …the crème de la crème of fashion designers.
crème fraiche /kre m fre ʃ/ N‑UNCOUNT Crème fraiche is a type of thick, slightly sour cream.