cat
A1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractable claws.
Any member of the family Felidae, including lions, tigers, etc. Figuratively, a spiteful or malicious woman. In slang, a man, a fellow, a jazz enthusiast.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense is the domestic animal. The broader zoological sense is used in scientific contexts. The pejorative figurative use for a woman is dated but occasionally seen in older literature. The slang uses are highly informal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Very minor. 'Cat' is universally common. The idiom 'let the cat out of the bag' is equally used. 'Cat flap' (UK) vs. 'pet door' or 'cat door' (US).
Connotations
Identical core connotations (pet, independence, curiosity). The dated, pejorative sense ('she's a cat') is recognised in both but rarely used.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects. The domestic animal is a fundamental, everyday word.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + the cat (feed, stroke, own)[adjective] + cat (black, stray, domestic)[possession] + cat (my, neighbour's, the family's)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- βlet the cat out of the bagβ
- βit's raining cats and dogsβ
- βcat got your tongue?β
- βthe cat's pyjamas/whiskersβ
- βplay cat and mouseβ
- βcuriosity killed the catβ
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically in phrases like 'cat fight' (vicious rivalry) or 'copycat' (imitator).
Academic
In biology: 'felid', 'member of the genus Felis'. In literature: as a symbol (mystery, independence, femininity).
Everyday
Overwhelmingly refers to the domestic pet. 'I need to feed the cat.'
Technical
In computing: 'CAT' can be an acronym for Computerized Axial Tomography or Common Admission Test. In construction: 'caterpillar' (CAT) tractor.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He went catting about on the moors.
- The old car was catting along nicely.
American English
- He's been catting around town all night.
- The engine started catting and sputtering.
adverb
British English
- She moved cat-quick across the room.
American English
- He ran cat-fast to catch the bus.
adjective
British English
- She has a cat-like grace.
- He gave a cat-ate-the-canary smile.
American English
- That's a real cat-burglar move.
- He has cat-like reflexes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a small, black cat.
- The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
- She likes cats more than dogs.
- Our family cat always brings us 'presents' of dead mice.
- I think I'm allergic to cats.
- They decided to adopt a rescue cat from the shelter.
- The documentary explored the complex social behaviour of the African wild cat.
- He couldn't keep the secret and let the cat out of the bag.
- Her cat-like demeanour made her an excellent dancer.
- The politician's speech was a classic example of cat-and-mouse rhetoric, designed to keep the opposition off-balance.
- In molecular biology, the CAT gene is a commonly used reporter gene.
- The jazz 'cat' sat in the corner, digging the sounds with a knowing nod.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
A CAT is a Cuddly Animal that purrs and Tiptoes.
Conceptual Metaphor
PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS (specifically, 'a spiteful woman is a cat'; 'a cool person is a cat' in jazz slang).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'cat' for large wild cats without context; Russian 'ΠΊΠΎΡ' is specifically male, while English 'cat' is generic. The idiom 'it's raining cats and dogs' is confusing; translate the meaning, not the words.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'cat' (animal) with 'cut' (verb) in pronunciation. Using the article incorrectly (e.g., 'I have cat' instead of 'I have a cat').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely meaning of 'cat' in this sentence: 'The old jazz cat took to the stage with his saxophone.'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'cat' is the generic term. For specifics, use 'tomcat' or 'tom' (male) and 'queen' or 'molly' (female, though 'female cat' is more common).
A 'kitten' is a young cat, typically under one year old. 'Cat' refers to the adult animal.
Yes, in its figurative sense meaning a spiteful or malicious woman, it is a dated and offensive term. It should be avoided.
It is an idiom meaning it is raining very heavily. It does not involve literal animals falling from the sky.