# creature comfort

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/creature-comfort
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Any small item or detail that makes a person feel comfortable and at home.

## Examples

- A warm blanket is my favorite creature comfort on a cold day.
- When camping in the mountains, she missed the simple creature comforts of her own home, like a hot shower and a soft bed.
- The hotel room was small, but it provided every creature comfort I needed, including a high-quality coffee machine and a very plush bathrobe.
- Even in the harsh conditions of the remote research station, the scientists insisted on maintaining a few basic creature comforts to preserve their morale during the long winter.

## Origin

A compound of creature and comfort, recorded from the 17th century to describe the basic physical requirements shared by humans and animals. The construction rests on the archaic sense of creature as any living being, designating those requirements—such as food, warmth, and sleep—that satisfy the body rather than the soul. The phrase appears in the 1650s in the works of various English divines, who frequently contrasted these worldly animal necessities with more elevated spiritual concerns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.