noun
critter
KRIH-tuh
Critter (noun) means an informal word for a living creature, especially an animal. Example: “There's a critter rustling around in the garden shed.”
noun
1
An informal word for a living creature, especially an animal.
"The San Juan market is Mexico City's most famous deli of exotic meats, where an adventurous shopper can hunt down hard-to-find critters such as ostrich, wild boar and crocodile."
— Nick Miroff, Mexico gets a taste for eating insects … (2013)
"There's a critter rustling around in the garden shed."
"The kids loved petting all the critters at the farm."
How to use critter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, folksy way to say "animal" or "creature."
When to use it
Informal and often used affectionately or humorously; not used in formal or scientific writing.
Common pairings
a little critter
furry critter
critters in the yard
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like critter.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- critters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There's a _____ rustling around in the garden shed.
Etymology
A dialect pronunciation of "creature" first recorded in 1815, mostly associated with rural American English.
Class of 1815
critter joined the language around 1815.
See the full Class of 1815 →
Rhymes for critter
See all rhymes for critter →Frequently asked questions
What does “critter” mean?
The word “critter” means an informal word for a living creature, especially an animal. In plain terms, a casual, folksy way to say "animal" or "creature.".
How do you pronounce “critter”?
“Critter” is pronounced KRIH-tuh (/ˈkɹɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “critter” in a sentence?
Here is “critter” used in a sentence: “There's a critter rustling around in the garden shed.”
What part of speech is “critter”?
“Critter” is a noun.
Where does the word “critter” come from?
The word “critter” dates back to around 1815. A dialect pronunciation of "creature" first recorded in 1815, mostly associated with rural American English.
