Cattiest: meaning, definitions and examples
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cattiest
[ ˈkætiɪst ]
behavioral trait
The term 'cattiest' is the superlative form of 'catty', which describes someone who is subtly cruel or spiteful, often in a sly or indirect manner. It is frequently used to characterize individuals, particularly women, who engage in gossip or negative remarks about others, often masked as playful banter. The word can imply a level of deceitfulness in the person's behavior, suggesting that their comments, although perhaps lighthearted in tone, carry an underlying malice or judgment. Being referred to as the 'cattiest' indicates that a person exhibits this behavior more than others in a given context.
Synonyms
malicious, snarky, sneering, spiteful.
Examples of usage
- She was the cattiest person in the group, always making sly comments.
- After hearing her cattiest remarks about her coworkers, we decided to have a serious talk.
- The cattiest gossip in the office often starts unnecessary drama.
Translations
Translations of the word "cattiest" in other languages:
🇵🇹 mais maldoso
🇮🇳 सबसे कटाक्षी
🇩🇪 am gemeinsten
🇮🇩 paling jahat
🇺🇦 найпідліший
🇵🇱 najbardziej złośliwy
🇯🇵 最も意地悪な
🇫🇷 le plus méchant
🇪🇸 el más malicioso
🇹🇷 en kötü
🇰🇷 가장 악의적인
🇸🇦 الأكثر سوءًا
🇨🇿 nejzlovolnější
🇸🇰 najzákernejší
🇨🇳 最恶毒的
🇸🇮 najbolj zlonameren
🇮🇸 mest illgjarn
🇰🇿 ең арам
🇬🇪 ყველაზე მავნე
🇦🇿 ən pis
🇲🇽 el más malicioso
Etymology
The word 'catty' originally comes from the 19th-century American dialect, derived from the word 'cat', which was often associated with a stealthy and independent nature. The term began to take on connotations of slyness and sharpness of character, implying a similar quality in people. By the mid-20th century, the term evolved to describe the particular brand of passive-aggressiveness often exhibited in social interactions, especially among women. This behavior aligns with cultural stereotypes about femininity and rivalry, leading to the emergence of 'cattiest' as a descriptor for the most extreme expressions of this 'catty' behavior. The increasing prevalence of social media and public platforms for gossip has further popularized the term, making it a familiar phrase in contemporary discussions about social dynamics and interpersonal relationships.