cat
Pronounced:
/ˈkæt/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural catsMeaning:
[count] 1 a : a small animal that is related to lions and tigers and that is often kept by people as a pet ▪ I have two dogs and a cat. —often used before another noun ▪ cat food —see also tomcat b : a lion, tiger, leopard, or similar wild animal
2 old-fashioned slang : a man ▪ He's a cool cat. ▪ You cats are crazy! —see also fat cat, hepcat, scaredy-cat
2 old-fashioned slang : a man ▪ He's a cool cat. ▪ You cats are crazy! —see also fat cat, hepcat, scaredy-cat
Cat got your tongue?
informal —used to ask someone why he or she is not saying anything ▪ “You've been unusually quiet tonight,” she said. “What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
curiosity killed the cat —see curiosity
fight like cats and dogs —see 1fight
let the cat out of the bag
: to reveal a secret ▪ We wanted the party to be a surprise, but he let the cat out of the bag.
like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
◊If you look or feel like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in, you are very dirty or untidy. ▪ I need to take a shower—I look like something the cat dragged in.
like the cat that ate/got/swallowed the canary (US) or Brit like the cat that got the cream
—used to say that someone looks very proud or satisfied about something he or she has done ▪ After pointing out his teacher's mistake, he smiled like the cat that ate the canary.
Look what the cat dragged in!
informal —used to call attention to someone who has entered the room or area
rain cats and dogs —see 2rain
the cat's meow (US) or the cat's pajamas or Brit the cat's whiskers
old-fashioned + informal —used to say that someone or something is very appealing ▪ That car is the cat's meow. [=I really like that car] ▪ Going to the movies was the cat's pajamas when I was a kid.
—cat·like /ˈkætˌlaɪk/ adjective ▪ a catlike appearance ▪ catlike movements
/ˈkætˌlaɪk/ adjective ▪ a catlike appearance ▪ catlike movements