There are so many slang words for cats out there that it can be challenging to keep up with all of them. However, these slang terms are not only fun and playful but also show the close relationship we have with our feline friends.
Whether you call them “kitty,” “purr machine,” or “fluffernutter,” each term shows the affection and adoration we have for these furry creatures.
20 slang words for cat
1. Feline
- Meaning:(noun) A domestic or wild cat
- Example: John’s feline, Mittens, is very friendly.
- How To Use: Use this as synonym for “cat”
2. Kitty
- Meaning:(noun) A young or small cat
- Example: I saw a cute little kitty in the park today.
- How To Use: This is typically used to refer to a baby cat.
3. Puss
- Meaning:(noun) A cat, usually a pet cat
- Example: My neighbor’s grey puss is always sitting on his porch.
- How To Use: A slang term for a cat, especially a pet cat.
4. Kitty cat
- Meaning:(noun) A cute, affectionate name for a cat
- Example: Who’s my little kitty cat?, Come give me love
- How To Use: This is a cute and playful term for a cat, often used to show affection.
5. Tomcat
- Meaning:(noun) A male cat
- Example: My aunt’s orange tomcat always greets me at the door.
- How To Use: This term specifically refers to a male cat.
6. Kitten
- Meaning:(noun) A baby cat or a young cat
- Example: I adopted a kitten from the animal shelter last week.
- How To Use: This is a term for a young cat or a baby cat; it refers to a cat that is under a year old.
7. Tabby
- Meaning:(noun) A cat that has a distinctive coat pattern
- Example: My friend has a pretty tabby with stripes and spots.
- How To Use: This term specifically refers to a cat with a distinctive coat pattern; it can be stripes or spots.
8. Moggy/Moggie
- Meaning:(noun)A mixed breed cat that is not a pedigree cat
- Example: We found a little moggy wandering in the park.
- How To Use: This is a term for a cat that is not a purebred; it is a “mutt” cat of sorts.
9. Whiskers
- Meaning:(noun)A cat that has long facial hair that looks like it’s coming from its cheeks
- Example: Our neighbor’s little black and white whiskers followed me home yesterday.
- How To Use: This term specifically refers to the long facial hair of some cats, which looks like it’s coming from their cheeks.
10. Purr machine
- Meaning:(noun)A cat that purrs constantly and easily
- Example: My cat is such a purr machine; as soon as I pet her, she starts to purr.
- How To Use: This is a term for a cat that purrs easily and often, as if it’s always running.
11. Alley cat
- Meaning:(noun)A stray or feral cat
- Example:We hear the yowls and cries of the alley cat outside our window almost every night.
- How To Use: This term specifically refers to a cat that is homeless, stray or was born into the wild and is feral.
12. Claws
- Meaning:(noun) A cat’s sharp retractable nails
- Example: I wish my cat would stop scratching the couch with her sharp claws.
- How To Use: This term refers to a cat’s sharp retractable nails; it can also be used to describe the act of scratching with said nails.
13. Calico
- Meaning:(noun) A type of cat with a distinctive fur pattern
- Example: I’ve always wanted a calico cat with a mix of brown and orange fur.
- How To Use: This term refers to a cat with a specific fur pattern; it usually involves multiple colors and is often associated with female cats.
14. Black cat
- Meaning:(noun) A cat that is completely black
- Example: I think black cats are really cool; my aunt has a black cat named Shadow.
- How To Use: This term specifically refers to a cat that is entirely black in color.
15. Siamese
- Meaning:(noun) A type of cat with an Asian appearance, popular for their distinctive looks
- Example: I used to have a Siamese cat with blue eyes; he was the prettiest cat I’ve ever seen.
- How To Use: This is a term for a specific breed of cat that originated in Thailand; it’s known for its distinctive appearance and blue eyes.
16. Tabbico
- Meaning:(noun)A tabby/calico mixed breed cat
- Example: My mother-in-law’s little tabbico is always playing and running around the house.
- How To Use: This is a term for a cat that is a combination of both tabby and calico markings.
17. Ginger
- Meaning:(noun)A cat with orange, brown or red fur
- Example: My friend’s ginger cat, Fluffy, is the laziest cat I’ve ever seen.
- How To Use: This term specifically refers to a cat that has orange, brown or red colored fur.
18. Bobtail
- Meaning:(noun)A cat with a naturally short tail
- Example: Our little bobtail is so cute; his tail is only about an inch long.
- How To Use: This term refers to a cat with a short tail, either naturally or through amputation.
19. Snowball
- Meaning:(noun)A white cat
- Example: My grandmother has a white cat named Snowball.
- How To Use: This term refers to a cat that is entirely white in color.
20. Panther
- Meaning:(noun)A large black cat
- Example: I saw a panther prowling around the backyard last night.
- How To Use: This term can be used to describe a black cat, especially a large one that is reminiscent of the larger cats that prowl in the jungle.