kitty
9 synonyms for kitty, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — An affectionate name for a cat.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use kitty
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
chip into the kitty
kitty for drinks
Etymology
Built from "kitten" plus the affectionate "-y" ending. The money-pool sense comes from a separate, unrelated card-game term for the shared pot players contribute to.
Full origin of kitty →Frequently asked questions
What does “kitty” mean?
The word “kitty” means an affectionate name for a cat. In plain terms, either a pet name for a cat, or a communal pot of money everyone pays into.
How do you pronounce “kitty”?
“Kitty” is pronounced KIH-tee (/ˈkɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “kitty” in a sentence?
Here is “kitty” used in a sentence: “Here, kitty, kitty — come and get your dinner.”
What part of speech is “kitty”?
“Kitty” is a noun.
Is “kitty” a common word?
“Kitty” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “kitty” have?
“Kitty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an affectionate name for a cat.
What is the difference between a kitty and a kitten?
A kitten is specifically a young cat, while kitty is an affectionate name for a cat of any age. Calling a ten-year-old cat 'kitty' is perfectly normal; calling it a kitten would be inaccurate.
What is a kitty in card games?
In card games and gambling, the kitty is a pool of money or chips that players pay into, which is later paid out or spent for the players' benefit. The word works the same way for any shared fund that a group builds up.
Is kitty an informal word?
Yes, both senses are informal. Kitty as a name for a cat is affectionate, nursery-style language, and kitty as a shared fund is conversational; in formal writing you would say 'communal fund' or 'pool' instead.
