1 N‑COUNT You can refer to something that someone has made as a creation , especially if it shows skill, imagination, or artistic ability. □ The bathroom is entirely my own creation.
2 N‑UNCOUNT [oft the N ] In many religions, creation is the making of the universe, Earth, and creatures by God. □ A guy who believes in divine creation argues with a girl who believes in evolution.
3 N‑UNCOUNT People sometimes refer to the whole world or universe and everything in it as creation . [LITERARY ] □ We seek not only to save ourselves, but to save all creation.
4 → see also create
crea|tion|ism /krie I ʃ ə n I zəm/ N‑UNCOUNT Creationism is the belief that the account of the creation of the universe in the Bible is true, and that the theory of evolution is incorrect.
crea|tion|ist /krie I ʃ ə n I st/ (creationists ) N‑COUNT A creationist is someone who believes that the story of the creation of the universe in the Bible is true, and who rejects the theory of evolution.
crea|tive ◆◇◇ /krie I t I v/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A creative person has the ability to invent and develop original ideas, especially in the arts. □ Like so many creative people, he was never satisfied. □ …her obvious creative talents. ● crea|tiv|ity /kriː e I t I v I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ American art reached a peak of creativity in the '50s and '60s.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Creative activities involve the inventing and making of new kinds of things. □ …creative writing. □ Cooking is creative.
3 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you use something in a creative way, you use it in a new way that produces interesting and unusual results. □ …his creative use of words. ● crea|tive|ly ADV □ Genet teaches you to think creatively.
crea |tive ac|cou nt|ing N‑UNCOUNT Creative accounting is when companies present or organize their accounts in such a way that they gain money for themselves or give a false impression of their profits. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Much of the apparent growth in profits that occurred in the 1980s was the result of creative accounting.
crea|tor /krie I tə r / (creators )
1 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] The creator of something is the person who made it or invented it. □ [+ of ] …Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond.
2 N‑PROPER God is sometimes referred to as the Creator . □ This was the first object placed in the heavens by the Creator.
crea|ture /kriː tʃə r / (creatures )
1 N‑COUNT You can refer to any living thing that is not a plant as a creature , especially when it is of an unknown or unfamiliar kind. People also refer to imaginary animals and beings as creatures . □ Alaskan Eskimos believe that every living creature possesses a spirit. □ The garden is surrounded by a hedge in which many small creatures can live.
2 N‑COUNT If you say that someone is a particular type of creature , you are focusing on a particular quality they have. □ She's charming, a sweet creature. □ [+ of ] She was a creature of the emotions, rather than reason.
3 a creature of habit → see habit
crea |ture co m|forts N‑PLURAL Creature comforts are the things that you need to feel comfortable in a place, for example good food and modern equipment. □ [+ of ] They appreciate all the creature comforts of home.
crèche /kre ʃ/ (crèches ) also creche N‑COUNT A crèche is a place where small children can be left to be looked after while their parents are doing something else. [BRIT ] in AM, use day nursery
cre|dence /kriː d ə ns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If something lends or gives credence to a theory or story, it makes it easier to believe. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] Studies are needed to lend credence to the notion that genuine progress can be made.
2 N‑UNCOUNT If you give credence to a theory or story, you believe it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] You're surely not giving any credence to this story of Hythe's?
cre|den|tials /kr I de nʃ ə lz/
1 N‑PLURAL Someone's credentials are their previous achievements, training, and general background, which indicate that they are qualified to do something. □ [+ as ] …her credentials as a Bach specialist. □ [+ of ] I can testify to the credentials of the clientele.
2 N‑PLURAL [usu poss N ] Someone's credentials are a letter or certificate that proves their identity or qualifications. □ Britain's new ambassador has presented his credentials to the President.
cred|ibil|ity /kre d I b I l I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone or something has credibility , people believe in them and trust them. □ The police have lost their credibility.
cre d|ibi l|ity gap N‑SING A credibility gap is the difference between what a person says or promises and what they actually think or do. □ There is a credibility gap developing between employers and employees.
cred|ible /kre d I b ə l/
1 ADJ Credible means able to be trusted or believed. □ [+ to ] Her claims seem credible to many. □ To maintain a credible threat of intervention, we have to maintain a credible alliance.
2 ADJ A credible candidate, policy, or system, for example, is one that appears to have a chance of being successful. □ Mr Robertson would be a credible candidate.
cred|it ◆◆◇ /kre d I t/ (credits , crediting , credited )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [oft on N ] If you are allowed credit , you are allowed to pay for goods or services several weeks or months after you have received them. □ The group can't get credit to buy farming machinery. □ You can ask a dealer for a discount whether you pay cash or buy on credit.