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

These biological remnants are providing insight into the last moments of the extinct ice age creature’s life. —Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

Researchers curious if the same was true for other creatures living alongside them turned to DNA from 17 dogs that lived in the last 10,000 years in Eurasia, including one from the burial in Kazakhstan. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 14 Nov. 2025

Michigan's Upper Peninsula may provide the perfect habitat for a mysterious creature some believe lurks at the edge of civilization, and this weekend, one Michigan town is celebrating all things Bigfoot. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 14 Nov. 2025

There's buttons and screens and all the fun tech to help children as young as 3 join the Resistance, but also animatronic space creatures anyone would enjoy. —Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 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

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