Cat is a small domestic mammal kept as a pet or used for pest control, typically independent and curious. In everyday speech it also serves as a common noun to describe any feline animal. The word is short, vowel-fronted, and frequently encountered in basic conversation and literature.
"The cat slept on the windowsill all afternoon."
"She adopted a stray cat from the shelter."
"That cat is very curious about the hummingbird outside."
"We heard a cat meowing at the door last night."
Cat derives from the Old English word catt, which itself likely comes from the Late Latin cattus and the Greek aikatros, all referencing domestic felines. The root semantically centers on a small predatory mammal and is related to similar terms in several Romance and Germanic languages. Over time, cat broadened in use to include any small, agile feline in various cultures, while in other contexts it also labels cross-species references (as in cat-o’-nine-tails or catamaran) due to metaphorical associations with agility. The earliest known English usage of catt appears around the 13th century, with cat form stabilizing in Middle English. The word’s persistence is reinforced by its short, punchy phonetic structure, making it a frequent feature in beginner language learning and everyday dialogue.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "cat" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "cat" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "cat" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "cat"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
Pronounce it as /kæt/. Begin with a hard back-velar /k/ release, then a short, open front vowel /æ/ as in cat, and finish with the voiceless alveolar stop /t/. In connected speech you may hear a softer /t/ or a light flap in rapid speech. IPA: /kæt/; focus on short duration of /æ/ and crisp /t/; avoid prolonging the vowel.
Common errors include lengthening the vowel so /æ/ becomes /eɪ/ as in 'cake', or turning the final /t/ into a voiced sound like /d/ in some dialects. Another frequent slip is merging /k/ and /æ/ too slowly, producing a drawn-out 'kaat'. Correct by keeping a tight, brief /æ/ and a crisp, final /t/, with the tongue blade touching the alveolar ridge for a clean stop.
In US and UK, the core is /kæ/ plus /t/. US often has a shorter, tenser /æ/ with less vowel length, UK can have a slightly more open /æ/ and crisper /t/, sometimes with a glottal stop before the end in some dialects. Australian speakers typically have a broad /æ/ similar to US but with more centralized tongue position and a lighter /t/ realization, occasionally flapping. Overall rhoticity is not a factor for this word.
The challenge lies in the short, sharp vowel /æ/ and the rapid, precise touch of the /t/ at the end. Learners often lengthen the vowel, insert an extra vowel, or voice the final consonant. It’s important to maintain a clipped vowel and a clean alveolar stop. Also watch for coarticulation; the /t/ can be influenced by the preceding /æ/ and following speech pace, so practice stable, quick transitions.
The word centers on a tense, short front vowel /æ/ and a final voiceless alveolar stop /t/. The unique feature is the potential for a slight vowel shortening before /t/ in fast speech, which can cause a near-syllabic dip or a reduced transition, especially for learners used to longer vowels in other languages. Emphasize a compact mouth opening for /æ/ and a precise tongue-tip release for /t/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "cat"!
No related words found
See how this word is used in our articles
