noun
Common
kitty
KIH-tee
Kitty (noun) means an affectionate name for a cat. Example: “Our kitty loves curling up on the warm windowsill.”
noun
1
An affectionate name for a cat.
"Our kitty loves curling up on the warm windowsill."
"Who's a sleepy kitty? Come here and have a cuddle."
"Here, kitty, kitty — come and get your dinner."
2
A shared pool of money contributed to by a group for a common purpose.
"We put the leftover money from the trip into the kitty for next year."
"Everyone chipped in five pounds to the office kitty for lunch."
"The poker kitty covers the cost of new decks and snacks."
How to use kitty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a pet name for a cat, or a communal pot of money everyone pays into.
Common pairings
chip into the kitty
kitty for drinks
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Word forms
- Plural
- kitties
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Our _____ loves curling up on the warm windowsill.
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.
Related words
Rhymes for kitty
See all rhymes for 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.
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