cat
KAT
Cat (noun) means a small, domesticated, furry mammal commonly kept as a pet, known for hunting mice and independent behaviour. Example: “My cat waits by the door every evening for her dinner.”
noun
1
A small, domesticated, furry mammal commonly kept as a pet, known for hunting mice and independent behaviour.
"My cat waits by the door every evening for her dinner."
"The cat curled up on the windowsill in the sun."
"Their cat likes to knock things off the table."
2
A Unix command that reads files and outputs their contents.
"Type cat followed by the filename to see what the file contains."
"You can join two files together by using cat and saving the output."
"He used cat to print the log file to the terminal."
How to use cat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe familiar household pet, or (in computing) a command that displays file contents.
Common pairings
stray cat
pet cat
cat and mouse
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Word forms
- Plural
- cats
- Third person singular
- cats
- Past tense
- catted
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My _____ waits by the door every evening for her dinner.
Etymology
From Old English catt, ultimately from Late Latin cattus — the word's deeper origin is uncertain, but it spread across many languages alongside the domestication of cats in the ancient world.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for cat
See all rhymes for cat →Frequently asked questions
What does “cat” mean?
The word “cat” means a small, domesticated, furry mammal commonly kept as a pet, known for hunting mice and independent behaviour. In plain terms, the familiar household pet, or (in computing) a command that displays file contents.
How do you pronounce “cat”?
“Cat” is pronounced KAT (/ˈkæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “cat” in a sentence?
Here is “cat” used in a sentence: “The cat curled up on the windowsill in the sun.”
What is another word for “cat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cat” include baudrons, domestic cat, grimalkin, kibty, housecat and kitten.
What part of speech is “cat”?
“Cat” is a noun.
Where does the word “cat” come from?
The word “cat” comes from Late Latin. From Old English catt, ultimately from Late Latin cattus — the word's deeper origin is uncertain, but it spread across many languages alongside the domestication of cats in the ancient world.
Is “cat” a common word?
“Cat” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “cat” have?
“Cat” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small, domesticated, furry mammal commonly kept as a pet, known for hunting mice and independent behaviour.
What is the difference between a cat and a kitten?
A kitten is simply a young cat, usually under about a year old. 'Cat' covers the animal at any age, but often implies an adult. Kittens are known for playfulness and rapid growth, while adult cats settle into the calmer, more independent behaviour the species is famous for.
Why do cats purr?
Cats most often purr when they feel content, relaxed, or safe, such as when being stroked. But purring isn't only about happiness — cats also purr to soothe themselves when injured, frightened, or unwell, and some research suggests the vibration may aid healing. Mother cats purr to comfort their kittens.
How long do cats usually live?
A well cared-for pet cat typically lives around 12 to 18 years, and many reach their late teens or beyond. Indoor cats generally live longer than outdoor ones because they face fewer dangers from traffic, predators, and disease. Diet, veterinary care, and breed all affect a cat's lifespan.
What is a group of cats called?
A group of cats is called a 'clowder,' and a group of kittens is a 'kindle.' A male cat is a 'tom' or 'tomcat,' a female is a 'queen,' and 'moggy' is a British informal term for a cat of no particular breed. These terms appear often in trivia.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing cat in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Cats respond to the sound of a name rather than its meaning, which is why short names ending in a bright vowel tend to work best.
From
CatNames
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