creep
verb [ I ]
uk/kriːp/ usto change very slowly, especially to increase:
Fuel prices dropped in April, but they are starting to creep higher now.
Phrasal verbs
creep in/creep into sth
creep up/creep upwards
creep
noun [ U ]
uk/kriːp/ usslow and gradual change, especially when something increases:
Gasoline price creep has been noticeable recently.
The economic crisis now has a new dimension: the steady creep of inflation.