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

Detainees have reported worm-like creatures in their drinking water, launched hunger strikes, and signed onto class-action lawsuits in recent months, decrying poor food, sanitation and medical care. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Other sights included the Netherland’s Birdmen — massive, illuminated, beaked creatures — that roamed the streets of Charlotte while acrobats with an Australian company swayed on 15-foot poles to celebrate nature. — Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026

The two girls walk in snowy fields, visit temples and aquariums, and study sharks and other sea creatures for a new manga. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026

The film’s title refers to a folk legend about a mythic creature that dwells in Bhutan’s icy mountains, and suggests all that is being lost with melting glaciers. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 Sep. 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