créature

A creature is a living being, especially an animal or any entity capable of life, used in everyday language to refer to beings that are not plants, fungi, or microorganisms. The term is non-technical and flexible, often evocative or generic rather than scientifically precise.

Etymology: The word enters English from Old French creature, from Latin creatura, from creare “to create.” The sense emphasizes beings that have been created rather than existing by necessity.

In philosophy and theology: In scholastic and theological contexts, “creature” designates beings that have existence as the effect of a creator’s act, as distinct from the uncaused Creator. That usage underpins discussions of creation, providence, and the place of creatures in the cosmos. The term also appears in ethical and metaphysical debates about personhood and sentience.

Literature and culture: In literature, film, and popular culture, “creature” is commonly applied to non-human beings, including animals, monsters, aliens, spirits, and sentient machines. The word can carry neutral, affectionate, or sensational connotations depending on context and genre.

In modern usage, “creature” remains broad and inclusive, while more precise terms—animal, being, organism—are preferred in scientific writing. The comparable French term créature shares the same roots and a similar range of uses, from everyday speech to theological discourse.