catfight: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2informal, often pejorative, journalistic/slang
Quick answer
What does “catfight” mean?
A fierce, aggressive argument or fight, especially between women.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fierce, aggressive argument or fight, especially between women.
Any intense, often petty conflict or competition, typically involving verbal insults, spiteful behavior, and heightened emotions. The term can be applied outside female-only contexts but strongly retains gendered connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Meaning and usage are very similar in both variants. The word is fully understood and used in both.
Connotations
The negative, sexist connotations are equally present in both dialects. Its use in mainstream media may attract criticism.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American tabloid journalism and celebrity gossip contexts, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “catfight” in a Sentence
[Verb] a catfight (start, have, cause, describe)A catfight [verb phrase] (broke out, ensued, erupted)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “catfight” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tabloids were desperate to catfight the two pop stars, but they remained civil.
American English
- The producers tried to catfight the contestants to boost ratings.
adjective
British English
- The show's catfight atmosphere was deliberately manufactured.
American English
- Her catfight comments were widely criticized as misogynistic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Highly inappropriate and unprofessional. Would be considered sexist and demeaning.
Academic
Extremely rare, except possibly in gender studies as a linguistic example of sexist terminology.
Everyday
Used informally, but with caution due to its offensive potential. More common in gossip.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “catfight”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Using it to describe a physical fight between men (highly atypical and jarring).
- Assuming it is a neutral or harmless term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is widely considered sexist because it trivializes conflict, often specifically between women, by comparing it to animal behavior and implying it is petty, emotional, and irrational.
It is extremely rare and would likely be used ironically or humorously to imply the men are behaving in a way stereotypically associated with women. Its primary and default meaning involves women.
Words like 'quarrel', 'dispute', 'altercation', or 'clash' are neutral. For a more intense conflict, 'fracas' or 'brawl' can be used without gendered connotations.
No, it is almost exclusively pejorative and sensationalist. It is not used to describe healthy debate or justified conflict.
A fierce, aggressive argument or fight, especially between women.
Catfight is usually informal, often pejorative, journalistic/slang in register.
Catfight: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkætfaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkætˌfaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(like) a catfight: used to describe a chaotic, noisy, or vicious argument. E.g., 'The meeting descended into something like a catfight.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two cats (stereotypically seen as female pets) hissing, scratching, and yowling at each other. Now picture a similar intense, noisy argument between people.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN CONFLICT IS ANIMAL BEHAVIOR (specifically, feline aggression).
Practice
Quiz
Which context is 'catfight' MOST appropriately used in?