miaul: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely rare/archaicLiterary/archaic
Quick answer
What does “miaul” mean?
To make the characteristic crying or wailing sound of a cat.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make the characteristic crying or wailing sound of a cat.
A rare, literary verb for the sound a cat makes; also used figuratively to describe a human voice that resembles a cat's cry.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; the word is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Poetic, old-fashioned, sometimes used for humorous or ironic effect.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or standard writing.
Grammar
How to Use “miaul” in a Sentence
[Subject] miauls[Subject] miauls [Adverbial (e.g., piteously)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miaul” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The stray cat would miaul outside the window every night.
- From the alley came a faint miauling.
American English
- The kitten started to miaul as soon as it was alone.
- He heard a cat miauling on the fence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or analyses of older literary texts.
Everyday
Never used; 'meow' is universal.
Technical
Not used in any technical field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miaul”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Spelling it as 'miowl' or 'meaul'.
- Using it as a noun instead of a verb (the noun form is 'miauling').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic synonym for 'meow'. You will find it in older dictionaries and literature, but it is not used in modern English.
'Miaul' specifically means to cry like a cat. 'Caterwaul' is louder, more shrill, and unpleasant, often implying a noisy quarrel or a harsh, wailing sound.
No. You only need to recognise it if you read very old texts. For all practical purposes, use 'meow' (verb/noun) or 'mew'.
Neither. It is equally obsolete in both varieties of English.
To make the characteristic crying or wailing sound of a cat.
Miaul is usually literary/archaic in register.
Miaul: in British English it is pronounced /miˈɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /miˈɔl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this archaic term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Meow' sounds like 'miaul' if said with an old-fashioned, drawn-out accent.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLAINT IS A CAT'S CRY (e.g., 'The toddler began to miaul for attention.')
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'miaul' be LEAST appropriate?