create
16 synonyms and 1 antonyms for create, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To bring something into existence; to make something new.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use create
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin creatus, the past participle of creare, "to bring forth or produce" — it replaced older English words like "shape" and "work" in this sense.
Full origin of create →Frequently asked questions
What does “create” mean?
The word “create” means to bring something into existence; to make something new. In plain terms, to make something exist that didn't before, or to cause a situation or feeling to arise.
How do you pronounce “create”?
“Create” is pronounced kree-AYT (/kɹiːˈeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “create” in a sentence?
Here is “create” used in a sentence: “The engineers created a prototype in just three weeks.”
What is another word for “create”?
Words with a similar meaning to “create” include bring forth, cause, contrive, develop, engender and evolve.
What is the opposite of “create”?
The opposite of “create” — its antonyms — is destroy.
What part of speech is “create”?
“Create” is a verb.
Where does the word “create” come from?
The word “create” comes from Latin. From Latin creatus, the past participle of creare, "to bring forth or produce" — it replaced older English words like "shape" and "work" in this sense.
Is “create” a common word?
“Create” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between create and make?
To make is to produce something in a practical, often physical way, like making dinner. To create carries a stronger sense of originality, bringing something new into existence, whether an artwork, an idea, or a company. All creating is making, but not all making is truly creating.
What is the difference between create and invent?
To invent is to devise something that never existed before, usually a device, method, or process. To create is broader; it covers making anything new, from a painting to a plan, whether or not it is a first-of-its-kind invention. Every invention is created, but not everything created is invented.
What is the opposite of create?
The clearest opposite is destroy, to bring something to an end rather than into being. Other opposites include demolish, ruin, and abolish. Depending on context, create may also contrast with copy or imitate, since creating implies making something original rather than reproducing what already exists.
What is an example of the verb create?
You create when you bring something new into existence: an artist creates a painting, a writer creates a story, a chef creates a recipe, and a developer creates an app. It also applies to less tangible things, like creating a plan, a mood, a business, or an opportunity.