beast

The word beast refers to an animal, especially a big, four-legged mammal.

This sense of the word is used in a neutral way to refer to certain members of the animal kingdom, often to distinguish large beasts from smaller creatures, such as birds. This is how the word is used in the phrase beast of burden, referring to an animal that pulls heavy equipment, such as an ox. Similarly, a mammal that hunts other animals can be called a beast of prey.

The word creature is often used in a similar way, but beast typically implies a big animal, whereas creature can refer to even very small ones.

Another common meaning of the word beast refers to fictional creatures, especially ones that are considered monsters, as in I had a dream I was being chased by a terrible beast. This is how the word is used in the title of the story Beauty and the Beast. Creature can also be used as a synonym for this sense of the word, but it’s more neutral—a fictional being referred to as a creature may be friendly. By contrast, using the word beast often implies that it is monstrous or dangerous in some way—or is at least thought to be.

Beast is sometimes used in a figurative way to refer to a cruel and uncivilized nature of a person, as in Desperation brings out the beast in some people. Another figurative use of the word refers to a situation that is going to create trouble or be difficult to deal with, as in The comprehensive final exam is going to be a beast. 

The word beast is sometimes used to refer to humans in both very negative and very positive ways.

Calling a person a beast in a negative way likens them to a monster and implies that they behave in a crude, brutish, or animalistic way. This use of beast can be especially offensive, especially due to likening a person to an animal.

The adjective beastly means monstrous, nasty, vile, or cruel.

A more recent slang sense of beast is completely positive. Calling someone a beast in this way means they are extremely strong, skilled, or dominant in some activity, such as a sport, as in Tara is a beast on the volleyball court. This sense of the word is used in the slang term beast mode, which refers to an increased (and often temporary) state of exceptionally high performance.

Example: I love monster movies—the bigger and more grotesque the beast, the better.

The first records of the word beast come from around 1200. It comes from the Latin bēstia, whose original meaning is uncertain. It may have simply been a word meaning “animal.”

The word beast is used in many different ways in pop culture, from the Beast in Beauty and the Beast to the character named Beast in the X-Men series, who is known for his beastlike appearance, strength, and agility. Another prominent use of the word beast comes from the Bible, from the Book of Revelation, which refers to two beasts. One of these is identified as the figure known as the Antichrist. The phrase mark of the beast is a reference to this.

What are some other forms related to beast?

• beastly (adjective)
• beastlike (adjective)

What are some synonyms for beast?

• animal
• creature
• monster
• brute
• fiend

What are some words that share a root or word element with beast?

• beast of burden
• beast of prey
• beast mode
• bestiary
• bestial

What are some words that often get used in discussing beast?

• wild
• huge
• hairy
• beauty
• nature
• mark
• tame

Beast is a common word used in a variety of contexts. It can be used in neutral, positive, and very negative ways.

The bizarre beast with an air-conditioning nose 👃https://t.co/FpDosySIui

— BBC Earth (@BBCEarth) February 17, 2020

All I did was pop into The Slaughtered Lamb for a pint (like my souvenir T-shirt?) and got chased across the capital by a hairy beast. At No 2 on my all time horror list it’s AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON! What a movie. #thebigscream day 30 pic.twitter.com/YGWvly2rBO

— Mark Edwards (@mredwards) October 30, 2020

Payton Pritchard was a beast on the offensive glass all night. That dude just plays hard. Offensive rebound and the put-back for the win. He’s far exceeded all of my expectations coming into the season. I love this kid.

— GreenRuns4Ever (@GreenRuns4Ever) January 7, 2021

Which of the following options could be described as a beast? 

A. a high-performing athlete
B. a hideous monster
C. a brutish person
D. all of the above