Meow: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฑ
Add to dictionary

meow

 

[ maสŠ ]

Interjection
Context #1 | Interjection

expression of a cat

The sound a cat makes, typically to get attention or express contentment. It is a high-pitched, short sound that is often repeated multiple times in succession.

Synonyms

mew.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
meow

Typically used to describe the sound that adult cats make. It's a versatile term commonly used in everyday conversations and childrenโ€™s stories.

  • The cat meowed loudly when it was hungry
  • My cat always greets me with a meow
mew

Often used to describe a softer or quieter sound made by kittens or young cats. It might also be used poetically or in more refined contexts.

  • The kitten mewed gently from its cozy spot
  • I could hear a faint mew coming from the corner of the room

Examples of usage

  • The cat meowed loudly outside the door.
  • She meowed softly while snuggling with her owner.
  • The kitten meowed incessantly until it was fed.
  • The stray cat meowed pitifully, looking for food.
  • The cat meowed in response to its owner's call.

Translations

Translations of the word "meow" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น miau

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅเคฏเคพเคŠเค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช miau

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ meong

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝัะฒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ miau

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ‹ใƒฃใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท miaou

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ miau

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท miyav

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ผ์˜น

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ูŠุงูˆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mลˆau

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mลˆau

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ–ต

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mijav

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mjรกl

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผััƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒงแƒ”แƒค

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ miyav

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ miau

Etymology

The word 'meow' is an onomatopoeic term that imitates the sound made by cats. It is believed that 'meow' originated from the Middle English word 'mewen,' which also referred to the sound made by cats. Over time, 'meow' became the commonly accepted term for the vocalization of cats in English. Cats use meowing as a form of communication, often to express their needs or feelings to humans or other animals.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,834, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.