cryptid
nounUK /ˈkrɪp.tɪd/
US /ˈkrɪp.tɪd/
A cryptid is an animal that some people believe is real but that science has not proven exists.
Bigfoot is a famous cryptid that many people claim to have seen in the woods.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An animal whose existence is suggested by stories or sightings but not confirmed by science.
The Loch Ness Monster is a well-known cryptid from Scotland.
3. A creature studied by cryptozoologists, often described in local legends.
Researchers traveled to the lake hoping to find evidence of the cryptid.
4. A mysterious beast that appears in folklore and eyewitness reports.
The chupacabra is a cryptid said to attack farm animals.