creature

noun

crea·​ture ˈkrē-chər 

1

: something created either animate or inanimate: such as

a

: a lower animal

especially : a farm animal

b

: a human being

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

• 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

In the end, the Viking landers found no creatures, and biological experiments proved inconclusive. —David W. Brown, New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2025

The creatures prefer large, dense areas in the woods and wetlands. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2025

It could have been derived from Jira Monster, a 1952 story written by Shigeru Kayama about a lizard-like creature that caused mayhem on a Pacific island. —Michael Taube, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025

Just as scary as the grotesque creatures outside are the factionalism and paranoia of the residents inside. —James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025

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
• creature of habit

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