creature

noun crea·ture \ˈkrē-chər\

: an animal of any type

: an imaginary or very strange kind of animal

: a person usually of a specified type

Full Definition of CREATURE

: something created either animate or inanimate: as

a : a lower animal; especially : a farm animal

b : a human being

c : a being of anomalous or uncertain aspect or nature <creatures of fantasy>

: one that is the servile dependent or tool of another : instrument

— crea·tur·al \ˈkrē-chə-rəl\ adjective

— crea·ture·hood \ˈkrē-chər-ˌhu̇d\ noun

— crea·ture·li·ness \-lē-nəs\ noun

— crea·ture·ly \-lē\ adjective

See creature defined for English-language learners

See creature defined for kids

Origin of CREATURE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin creatura, from Latin creatus, past participle of creare

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CREATURE

Synonyms: baby, being, bird, bod [British], body, character, cookie (or cooky), human, customer, devil, duck, egg, face, fish, guy, head, human being, individual, life, man, mortal, party, person, personage, scout, slob, sort, soul, specimen, stiff, thing, wight

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

Rhymes with CREATURE

bleacher, feature, leacher, preacher, reacher, screecher, teacher

CREATURES Defined for Kids

creature

noun crea·ture \ˈkrē-chər\

Definition of CREATURE for Kids

: a lower animal

: person 1 <You're the most selfish creature I've ever met.>

: an imaginary or strange being <The creature … was lurking somewhere in the castle … — J. K. Rowling, Chamber of Secrets>

Word Root of CREATURE

The Latin word creāre, meaning “to produce” or “to cause,” gives us the root cre. Words from the Latin creāre have something to do with producing or causing. To create something is to produce it. Anyone creative is able to produce new and original things. A creature is a being that was alive when it was produced