noun
Uncommon
meow
mee-OW
Meow (noun) means the characteristic vocal sound made by a cat. Example: “The kitten gave a tiny meow at the door.”
noun
1
The characteristic vocal sound made by a cat.
"The kitten gave a tiny meow at the door."
verb
1
Of a cat, to make this sound.
"The cat meowed loudly for its dinner."
intj
1
Used to imitate a cat's cry.
""Meow!" the toddler said, pretending to be a cat."
How to use meow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe sound a cat makes, or to make that sound.
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Word forms
- Plural
- meows
- Third person singular
- meows
- Past tense
- meowed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kitten gave a tiny _____ at the door.
Etymology
An imitation of the sound itself (onomatopoeia), replacing the older English word "mew" in the 19th century.
Class of 1800
meow joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for meow
See all rhymes for meow →Frequently asked questions
What does “meow” mean?
The word “meow” means the characteristic vocal sound made by a cat. In plain terms, the sound a cat makes, or to make that sound.
How do you pronounce “meow”?
“Meow” is pronounced mee-OW (/miˈaʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “meow” in a sentence?
Here is “meow” used in a sentence: “The kitten gave a tiny meow at the door.”
What part of speech is “meow”?
Depending on how it is used, “meow” can be a noun, a verb and an intj.
Where does the word “meow” come from?
The word “meow” dates back to around 1800. An imitation of the sound itself (onomatopoeia), replacing the older English word "mew" in the 19th century.
Is “meow” a common word?
“Meow” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “meow” have?
“Meow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the characteristic vocal sound made by a cat.
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