creature

[kree-cher]

noun

1. an animal, especially a nonhuman.

   the creatures of the woods and fields; a creature from outer space.

2. anything created, whether animate or inanimate.

3. person; human being.

   She is a charming creature. The driver of a bus is sometimes an irritable creature.

4. an animate being.

5. a person whose position or fortune is owed to someone or something and who continues under the control or influence of that person or thing.

   The cardinal was a creature of Louis XI.

6. Scot. and Older U.S. Use.,  Usually the creature intoxicating liquor, especially whiskey.

   He drinks a bit of the creature before bedtime.

creature

/ ˈkriːtʃə /

noun

1. a living being, esp an animal

2. something that has been created, whether animate or inanimate

   a creature of the imagination

3. a human being; person: used as a term of scorn, pity, or endearment

4. a person who is dependent upon another; tool or puppet

Other Word Forms

• creatureliness noun
• creatural adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of creature¹

First recorded before 1250–1300; Middle English creature, from Late Latin creātūra “act of creating”; create, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of creature¹

C13: from Church Latin crēatūra, from Latin crēare to create

Example Sentences

Andrew Garfield had originally been cast as the titular creature, but had to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts which arose from the Hollywood actors' strike.

From BBC

Munch, a friendly, purple-ish hairball of a creature, was once the anchor of Chuck E. Cheese’s Make Believe Band.

From Los Angeles Times

Eye‑level with an inquisitive Arctic wolf pack in −35 C, Mr Eshel fulfilled his dream to photograph these elusive creatures.

From BBC

This was how the great conservative Christian psychologist recommended people behave toward the innocent people and creatures who depended upon them.

From Salon

They couple began with a handful of their own animals but gradually started taking in all creatures great and small, including horses, sheep and ferrets.

From BBC

Related Words

• animal 
• critter 
• fellow 
• individual 
• living thing www.thesaurus.com
• man 
• person 
• soul 
• woman