Crawl

Definition

Crawl refers to the action of moving slowly on hands and knees, or with the body close to the ground. It is also used to describe the slow progress of something, and in swimming, it refers to a specific stroke in which a person moves forward by alternating arm strokes and kicking legs.

Parts of Speech

• Verb
• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /krɔːl/
• Respelling: krawl

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /krɔːl/
• Respelling: krawl

The pronunciation of "crawl" is identical in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "crawl" comes from the Middle English word "craulen," meaning "to move slowly." It is derived from the Old Norse word "krafla," meaning "to claw or scratch." The term has been in use since the 14th century to describe slow movement, particularly on hands and knees.

Derivatives

• Crawler (noun)
• Crawling (verb/adjective)
• Crawlspace (noun)
• Crawl stroke (noun)
• Overcrawl (verb)

Synonyms

• Clamber
• Scramble
• Slither

Antonyms

• Run
• Sprint
• Dash

Usage

The term "crawl" is commonly used in contexts where slow, deliberate movement is described, such as when a baby crawls across the floor or when traffic moves slowly. It is also frequently used in swimming to describe a front crawl, a popular stroke in competitive and recreational swimming. Additionally, crawl can be used metaphorically to describe slow progress, such as "the meeting crawled on for hours."

Related Terms

• Slither: To move smoothly over a surface, often with the body close to the ground, similar to crawling.
• Creep: To move slowly and carefully to avoid being noticed, akin to crawling.
• Clamber: To move or climb awkwardly, often on hands and knees.

Detailed Definitions

Verb

• To move on hands and knees or with the body close to the ground: Describes slow, deliberate movement in a prone position.
  • Example: "The baby began to crawl across the living room."
• To move slowly or with difficulty: Refers to the gradual or slow movement of something.
  • Example: "The traffic crawled through the city during rush hour."

Noun

• A slow movement, often on hands and knees: Refers to the act or instance of crawling.
  • Example: "The hikers were forced to move at a crawl through the narrow tunnel."
• A swimming stroke: Refers to the front crawl stroke, where the swimmer alternates arms and kicks legs to move forward.
  • Example: "She mastered the crawl during her swimming lessons."