creature
KREE-chuh
Creature (noun) means a living being, especially an animal. Example: “Every living creature on the farm needs fresh water during hot weather.”
noun
1
A living being, especially an animal.
"Every living creature on the farm needs fresh water during hot weather."
"The forest was full of strange nocturnal creatures."
"Dolphins are intelligent, social creatures."
2
An imaginary or monstrous being, especially in fiction or myth.
"In the old legend, a fire-breathing creature guarded the treasure inside the cave."
"The children drew a friendly creature with three eyes and purple fur."
"The film features a terrifying creature from the deep sea."
3
A person who is completely controlled by or dependent on someone else.
"He was widely seen as the boss's creature and never voiced his own opinions."
"Critics called the editor a creature of the owner, who obeyed every order."
"The minister was dismissed as a mere creature of the party leadership."
How to use creature
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA living being, especially an animal, or a monstrous/fictional being.
Common pairings
living creature
creature comforts
creature of habit
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Word forms
- Plural
- creatures
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Every living _____ on the farm needs fresh water during hot weather.
Etymology
From Latin creatura, "a created thing," from creare, "to create" — originally used for anything that had been made, before narrowing to living beings.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for creature
See all rhymes for creature →Frequently asked questions
What does “creature” mean?
The word “creature” means a living being, especially an animal. In plain terms, a living being, especially an animal, or a monstrous/fictional being.
How do you pronounce “creature”?
“Creature” is pronounced KREE-chuh (/ˈkɹi.tʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “creature” in a sentence?
Here is “creature” used in a sentence: “The forest was full of strange nocturnal creatures.”
What is another word for “creature”?
Words with a similar meaning to “creature” include being.
What part of speech is “creature”?
“Creature” is a noun.
Where does the word “creature” come from?
The word “creature” comes from Latin. From Latin creatura, "a created thing," from creare, "to create" — originally used for anything that had been made, before narrowing to living beings.
Is “creature” a common word?
“Creature” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “creature” have?
“Creature” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a living being, especially an animal.
What is the difference between a "creature" and an "animal"?
"Creature" is a broad term for any living being, often an animal, and can carry a sense of wonder, sympathy, or strangeness. "Animal" is the more precise, neutral biological term, so all animals are creatures but "creature" can also cover imaginary or unusual beings.
What is the difference between a "creature" and a "monster"?
A creature is simply a living being, especially an animal, and is usually neutral. A monster is a frightening or grotesque being, so while "creature" can describe an imaginary or monstrous being in fiction, "monster" specifically implies menace.
Can "creature" refer to something that is not real?
Yes. Besides meaning a living being such as an animal, "creature" is also used for an imaginary or monstrous being, especially in fiction or myth, such as a creature from a fantasy story.
