creature

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

creatureliness

2 of 2

noun (2)

crea·​ture·​li·​ness ˈkrē-chər-lē-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being a creature especially in sharing kinship with the animals

Synonyms of creature

Noun (1)

• animal

Examples of creature in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Noun

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

While the bloody red shrimp may put pressure on other small lake creatures such as the spiny water flea, the shrimp are also a new source of food for fish, Branstrator said. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 3 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

Earth-friendly, conscientious gardeners learn to slow down and pay attention — not only to plants but to the many creatures that share the garden. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (1)

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