Word
critter
Phoneticscrit·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɹɪtɝ/
UK/kɹˈɪtɐ/
Countable noun Informal
Definition
n. a small animal, especially one that is cute or lives in the wild. People often use this word when they find a bug or a mouse in their house.
n. a small animal, typically one that is perceived as cute or harmless. Informal in register; frequently used in North American English to refer to insects, rodents, or small mammals.
Examples
“I found a little critter hiding under the porch.”
“The children were excited to see a small critter scurrying through the tall grass in the backyard.”
Examples
simple
“I found a little critter hiding under the porch.”
contextual
“The children were excited to see a small critter scurrying through the tall grass in the backyard.”
Real-World Examples
“Spot an interesting bird or critter and you can photograph it, adding it to your scrapbook.” Etymology
First attested 1815, from a dialectal pronunciation of creature.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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