noun

critter

KRIH-tuh

noun

An informal word for a living creature, especially an animal.

"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 notes

In 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

critters plural

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Can you complete this real example?

There's a _____ rustling around in the garden shed.

A dialect pronunciation of "creature" first recorded in 1815, mostly associated with rural American English.

bitter litter ritter witter sitter fitter hitter quitter glitter twitter skitter fritter