noun
tomcat
Tomcat (noun) means a male cat, especially one that has not been neutered. Example: “The tomcat next door keeps fighting with the neighborhood strays.”
noun
1
A male cat, especially one that has not been neutered.
"The tomcat next door keeps fighting with the neighborhood strays."
2
A man who pursues many casual sexual relationships (informal, somewhat dated).
"He had a reputation as a tomcat in his younger days."
verb
1
To pursue casual sexual encounters (informal).
"He spent his twenties tomcatting around the city."
How to use tomcat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA male cat, or, informally, a man known for chasing many casual romantic partners.
When to use it
The "promiscuous man" sense is informal and a bit dated.
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Word forms
- Plural
- tomcats
- Third person singular
- tomcats
- Past tense
- tomcatted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ next door keeps fighting with the neighborhood strays.
Etymology
From "Tom" plus "cat," popularized by the 1760 book "The Life and Adventures of a Cat," in which the male cat character was named Tom.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tomcat” mean?
The word “tomcat” means a male cat, especially one that has not been neutered. In plain terms, a male cat, or, informally, a man known for chasing many casual romantic partners.
How do you use “tomcat” in a sentence?
Here is “tomcat” used in a sentence: “The tomcat next door keeps fighting with the neighborhood strays.”
What part of speech is “tomcat”?
Depending on how it is used, “tomcat” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tomcat” come from?
The word “tomcat” dates back to around 1760. From "Tom" plus "cat," popularized by the 1760 book "The Life and Adventures of a Cat," in which the male cat character was named Tom.
How many meanings does “tomcat” have?
“Tomcat” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male cat, especially one that has not been neutered.
