Meaning & use
creature of habit
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
a person who always follows the same routines and dislikes change
Grammar: Countable: a creature of habit, creatures of habit. Often used with 'be' or 'become'.
Patterns
- be a creature of habit
- become a creature of habit
- such a creature of habit
My father is a creature of habit; he eats the same breakfast every day.
She's such a creature of habit that she always takes the same route to work.
I'm a creature of habit, so I find it hard to adapt to new schedules.
Common combinations
- be a creature of habit
- He is a creature of habit and always orders the same coffee.
- become a creature of habit
- After years in the same job, she became a creature of habit.
- such a creature of habit
- You're such a creature of habit—you never try anything new.
Synonyms and how they differ
- routine person
- Not a common phrase; 'creature of habit' is the standard idiom.
- traditionalist
- A traditionalist prefers old customs; a creature of habit just likes personal routines.
Opposites
Commonly confused: creature of habit or creature comforts?
creature of habit vs creature comforts
Creature comforts are things that make life comfortable, like good food and soft beds. Not the same as a creature of habit.
Practice
What does it mean if someone is a creature of habit?
Choose one answer.
A creature of habit is someone who sticks to familiar routines and dislikes change, so option 1 is correct. The other options describe different qualities.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “creature of habit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.