Definition

1. Noun:
   • A living being, especially an animal: A creature is any living thing that is not a plant, typically referring to animals, including humans.
   • An imaginary or fantastical being: A creature can refer to a being that is invented or exists in myths, stories, or folklore.
   • A person considered in a specific, often dependent, context: A creature can be a person, often with an emphasis on their nature, situation, or their relationship to a controlling influence.

Examples of Usage

• Referring to an animal:
  • The deep sea is home to many strange and wonderful creatures.
  • We must protect all creatures, great and small.
• Referring to an imaginary being:
  • The story featured a magical creature that could grant wishes.
  • Dragons are mythical creatures found in legends around the world.
• Referring to a person:
  • He was a creature of habit, following the same routine every day.
  • She was a charming and gentle creature.

Advanced Usage

• "Creature of (someone/something)": A person or thing that is created, shaped, or completely controlled by another.
  • As a politician, he was seen as a creature of the party establishment.
  • The bureaucracy is a creature of modern government.
• "Creature comforts": Material comforts that contribute to physical ease and well-being, such as good food, warmth, and comfortable surroundings.
  • After camping for a week, I was looking forward to the creature comforts of home.

Variants and Related Words

• Create (verb): To bring something into existence.
• Creation (noun): The action or process of bringing something into existence; also, a thing that has been created.
• Creative (adjective): Relating to or involving the use of imagination or original ideas to create something.
• Creaturely (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of a creature, especially in being mortal or physical.

Synonyms

• Being: A living thing.
• Animal: A living organism that feeds on organic matter.
• Beast: An animal, especially a large or dangerous four-footed one.
• Entity: A thing with distinct and independent existence.

Related Phrases

• Living creature: Emphasizes the state of being alive.
  • Every living creature needs water to survive.
• Poor creature: An expression of pity for a person or animal.
  • Look at that poor creature, shivering in the cold.

Related Idioms

• Creature of habit: A person who follows an unvarying routine.
  • Don't try to get him to try a new restaurant; he's a real creature of habit.

Noun

1. a person who is controlled by others and is used to perform unpleasant or dishonest tasks for someone else
2. a human being; `wight' is an archaic term
3. a living organism characterized by voluntary movement