ENGLISH
REFERENCE

creature

n.
US //ˈkɹitʃɝ// UK //kɹˈiːtʃɐ// crea·ture
  1. 1 an animal (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    any living animal, especially one that is not a human.

    any living being, typically used to refer to non-human animals in a general or biological context.

    Example

    The forest is home to many small creatures like squirrels and rabbits.

    Example

    Deep-sea explorers continue to discover bizarre creatures that have evolved to survive under extreme pressure and total darkness.
  2. 2 a monster (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a strange, scary, or mysterious living thing from a story or movie.

    an imaginary, mysterious, or monstrous being, often appearing in folklore or science fiction.

    Example

    The movie was about a giant creature that lived at the bottom of the lake.

    Example

    The myth describes a terrifying creature with the head of a lion and the wings of an eagle.
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  1. 3 a person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    a person, often used when you feel pity for them or when you think they are unpleasant.

    a human being, often qualified by an adjective to express pity, contempt, or a specific character trait.

    Example

    The poor creature had nowhere to go in the freezing rain.

    Example

    He was a strange, lonely creature who rarely spoke to his neighbours and never left his house during the day.

    Usage

    Usually follows an adjective like 'poor', 'pitiful', or 'vile'.
  2. 4 a follower (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Literary

    someone who is controlled by or depends on a more powerful person.

    a person who is entirely subservient to or dependent upon another, often used in political or formal contexts.

    Example

    The dictator surrounded himself with loyal creatures who never questioned his orders.

    Example

    The minister was seen as a mere creature of the crown, lacking any independent political will or personal authority.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is rare in modern conversation; it is mostly found in historical novels or formal political analysis.
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.

Word family
Idioms5 entries

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