ENGLISH
REFERENCE

creature

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈkɹitʃɝ// UK //kɹˈiːtʃɐ// crea·ture General-service Vulgar

n. any living thing that can move, such as an animal or a person. It is often used to describe animals that are unusual, scary, or interesting.

n. a living being, especially an animal as distinct from a human, or a person viewed in a specific way. Often used to emphasize the physical or instinctual nature of a living thing.


SIMPLE

The forest is home to many strange creatures.

CONTEXTUAL

Deep-sea divers often discover tiny, glowing creatures that look like they belong on another planet.

COMPLEX

The novelist describes the protagonist as a creature of habit, unable to function if his morning routine is disrupted by even a few minutes.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English creature in the original sense of “a created thing”, borrowed via Old French creature, criature, from Latin creātūra, from creō. Displaced native Old English ġesċeaft. Doublet of craythur and critter.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'creature of habit' to describe someone with fixed routines.

Idioms5 entries

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