# creature

/ˈkɹitʃɝ/ (US) · /kɹˈiːtʃɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/creature
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. an animal

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The forest is home to many small creatures like squirrels and rabbits.
- Deep-sea explorers continue to discover bizarre creatures that have evolved to survive under extreme pressure and total darkness.

### 2. a monster

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- The movie was about a giant creature that lived at the bottom of the lake.
- The myth describes a terrifying creature with the head of a lion and the wings of an eagle.

### 3. a person

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

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

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

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

### 4. a follower

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

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

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

- The dictator surrounded himself with loyal creatures who never questioned his orders.
- The minister was seen as a mere creature of the crown, lacking any independent political will or personal authority.

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

## Examples

- The forest is home to many strange creatures.
- Deep-sea divers often discover tiny, glowing creatures that look like they belong on another planet.
- The novelist describes the protagonist as a creature of habit, unable to function if his morning routine is disrupted by even a few minutes.

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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.