1. small animals or creatures, especially when considered cute or endearing
Usage: informal; often used affectionately
2. small insects or bugs
Usage: informal

Examples

• The children loved watching the little beasties in the tide pools.
• She found several tiny beasties crawling around her garden.
• The documentary showed amazing footage of deep-sea beasties.
• Don’t worry about those beasties – they’re just harmless beetles.
• The forest floor was alive with all sorts of small beasties.
• We spotted some interesting beasties under the rocks by the stream.