breed of cat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumNeutral, slightly formal when discussing pets professionally; everyday in pet-owner contexts.
Quick answer
What does “breed of cat” mean?
A distinct, recognized type or variety of domestic cat, defined by specific physical characteristics, coat patterns, and often personality traits, established through selective breeding.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A distinct, recognized type or variety of domestic cat, defined by specific physical characteristics, coat patterns, and often personality traits, established through selective breeding.
Can be used metaphorically to refer to a particular type, class, or kind of person or thing, suggesting inherent or distinctive qualities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Moggy' (UK) and 'alley cat' (US) are common terms for non-pedigree cats. Breed names are international.
Connotations
Slightly more associated with formal showing and pedigree in UK contexts; in US, also strongly associated with pet choice and lifestyle.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects among cat enthusiasts and veterinarians.
Grammar
How to Use “breed of cat” in a Sentence
[determiner] + breed of cat[adjective] + breed of catbreed of cat + [relative clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in pet industry marketing, pet food segmentation, and insurance.
Academic
Used in veterinary science, genetics, and animal husbandry studies.
Everyday
Common in conversations about pets, choosing a pet, or describing someone's cat.
Technical
Used in feline genetics, breed standards documentation, and cat show judging criteria.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “breed of cat”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “breed of cat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breed of cat”
- Using 'species' instead of 'breed' (all domestic cats are the same species).
- Saying 'a breed cat' instead of 'a breed of cat' or 'a pedigreed cat'.
- Capitalizing breed names incorrectly (e.g., 'British shorthair' should be 'British Shorthair').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is countable. You can have 'one breed of cat', 'two breeds of cat', 'many breeds of cat'.
Yes, 'cat breed' is a common and perfectly acceptable synonym, especially in more concise or compound contexts (e.g., 'popular cat breeds').
A 'species' is a fundamental biological classification (e.g., *Felis catus*, the domestic cat). All domestic cats belong to the same species. A 'breed' is a man-made variety *within* that species, like different models of the same car.
Yes, the proper names of specific cat breeds are always capitalized as they are proper nouns (e.g., Persian, Ragdoll, British Shorthair). The word 'breed' itself is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence.
A distinct, recognized type or variety of domestic cat, defined by specific physical characteristics, coat patterns, and often personality traits, established through selective breeding.
Breed of cat is usually neutral, slightly formal when discussing pets professionally; everyday in pet-owner contexts. in register.
Breed of cat: in British English it is pronounced /briːd əv ˈkæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /brid əv ˈkæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's a different breed of cat entirely (metaphorical: a completely different type of thing/person).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'breed' like a 'brand' or 'model' of cat, each with its own specific design manual (breed standard).
Conceptual Metaphor
A breed of cat is a manufactured product / a work of art (shaped by human selection for specific traits).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is an ANTONYM for 'breed of cat' in this context?