creature

noun

crea·​ture ˈkrē-chər 

1

: something created either animate or inanimate: such as

a

: an animal that is not a human being

wild creatures of the forest

b

: a human being

He's a social creature.

The poor creature has had a hard life.

I'm a creature of habit; I like my routine.

c

: a being of anomalous or uncertain aspect or nature

creatures of fantasy

2

: one that is the servile dependent or tool of another : instrument

creatural

ˈkrē-chə-rəl 

adjective

creaturehood

ˈkrē-chər-ˌhu̇d 

noun

creatureliness

ˈkrē-chər-lē-nəs 

noun

creaturely

ˈkrē-chər-lē 

adjective

Synonyms of creature

• animal

Examples of creature in a Sentence

rabbits, squirrels, and other furry creatures

Few living creatures can survive without water.

a giant hairy apelike creature

She's a creature of rare beauty.

A social creature by nature, he loves working with people.

The poor creature had no way to get home.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another creature, Polyphemus, the enormous one-eyed Cyclops played by Bill Irwin, benefited from Nolan’s kind of synergy, starting with the famous Goya painting of Saturn eating his children. — Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Add the whale’s whiteness and you are left with a creature that is a visual tabula rasa upon which any interpretation can be written. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026

Arrax was the first of these creatures to die when he and his rider, Rhaenyra's son Prince Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), were swallowed up by Aemond's Vhagar in the season 1 finale. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026

Like the West African mythological creature that lends the bar its name, the drinks at Anansi will, indeed, sneak up on you. — Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Late Latin creātūra "act of bringing into being, something brought into being," from Latin creātus, past participle of creāre "to beget, give birth to, create entry 1" + -ūra

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing creature

• creature comfort

Rhymes for creature

• bleacher
• feature
• preacher
• reacher
• teacher
• schoolteacher

Kids Definition

creature

noun

crea·​ture ˈkrē-chər 

1

: a created being

2

a

: a lower animal

b

: individual sense 2