meow

USAGE SUMMARY

'meow' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used as the sound that a cat makes. For example: The cat meowed loudly in the middle of the night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Often sold in Britain under the name NRG2, 4-MEC is a chemical cousin of the now-banned "meow meow".

The Economist

THE notorious red tape at a government agency like America's Food and Drug Administration FDAA) is, in the words of Milton Friedman, "a consequence of its constitution in precisely the same way that a meow is related to the constitution of a cat".

The Economist

These "legal highs" contain compounds similar to banned narcotics such as mephedrone ("meow meow"), and are designed to mimic their effects.Norman Baker, Britain's drugs minister, recently said that Britain was "in a race against the chemists of new substances being produced almost on a weekly basis in places like China and India".

The Economist

Tonight's #TrumpFace pic.twitter.com/zpfLWF0TGM #TrumpFace is winning the debate right meow.

Independent

"Big Bad John" was ripe for parody and comedy versions included Phil McLain's "Small Sad Sam", Marvin Rainwater's "Tough Top Cat" ("If you spoke at all, you just said meow to Big Tom").

Independent

Looks like I'll be contributing some feline hi-hats to @MeowTheJewels If meow the jewels gets released I'll also release a kit of all the drums I used from 2001-2005.

Independent

It is known variously as the "at sign", a monkey's tail or the "sign of the meow".

Independent

Is Gustavo Dudamel the bee's knees, or merely the cat's meow?

The New Yorker

"Run the Jewels 2," the album "Meow the Jewels" is based on, is a scalding and volatile indictment of endemic racism and the ways in which we perform equality (or perform anything, for that matter; Run the Jewels do not suffer falsehoods quietly).

The New Yorker

"Meow the Jewels" may as well be the most triumphant bit of unintentional political theatre we've seen in awhile.

The New Yorker

Sterling is self-centered, vain, a pig to women, and one step behind every clue, but from his perspective he's the cat's meow.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the drug mephedrone, be aware that "meow meow" is a slang term primarily used in the UK, so ensure your audience understands the context.

Common error

Avoid using "meow" in formal writing to describe something excellent; the idiom "cat's meow" is dated and may not be understood by all readers. Use more contemporary expressions instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "meow" is onomatopoeia, directly representing the sound made by a cat. It can also function as a noun, verb, or interjection. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in describing feline vocalizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meow" functions primarily as onomatopoeia, directly imitating a cat's vocalization. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct term widely used as a noun, verb, or interjection. Its frequency is very common, especially in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While mainly informal, "meow" effectively captures the essence of feline sounds, offering writers a versatile and recognizable term. Be mindful of its slang usage as a term for mephedrone, primarily in the UK, and avoid using the outdated idiom "cat's meow" in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

miaow

A variant spelling of "meow", with identical meaning.

mew

A synonym for "meow", referring specifically to a cat's sound.

cat's cry

Focuses on the sound a cat produces, similar to "meow" but more descriptive.

feline vocalization

A more formal and scientific way to refer to the sound a cat makes.

cat sound

A generic term for any sound a cat makes.

kitty's call

A more affectionate and informal way to refer to a cat's vocalization.

purr

Another common sound made by cats, indicating contentment.

hiss

A sound made by cats when they are angry or scared.

growl

A deeper, more threatening sound made by cats.

cat's meow

An idiom meaning something stylish or excellent, derived from the sound.

FAQs

How can I use "meow" in a sentence?

You can use "meow" to describe the sound a cat makes, for example: "The cat let out a loud "meow"." It can also be used as a verb: "The cat "meowed" at the door."

What does it mean when someone says "cat's meow"?

The phrase "cat's "meow"" is an idiom that means something is stylish, excellent, or impressive. However, it's considered an older expression.

Is "meow" an example of onomatopoeia?

Yes, ""meow"" is a classic example of onomatopoeia, a word that imitates the sound it represents. Other examples include "buzz", "hiss", and "woof".

What is the difference between "meow" and "mew"?

"Meow" and "mew" are synonyms, both referring to the sound a cat makes. "Mew" can also refer to a place where cats are kept, but this usage is less common.