miaow
1
8.7
A short high sound that a cat makes
- noun
- /miˈaʊ/
- UK
:
maullido
- The little kitten let out a soft miaow as it approached its owner.
- a cat miaow
Examples
-
They called her name out the kitchen window, and the desperate miaows redoubled.
Fiction book (1991) -
I could hear the miaow of the cat from outside the window.
-
After being fed, the cat purred contentedly and made a happy miaow.
Synonyms
cry
vsmiaow
142
1.0
A loud call that an animal or person makes
is the specific cat vocal sound rather than any loud call
meow
vsmiaow
48
1.0
A short sound that a cat makes
is the same basic sound but differs in common form or spelling
mew
vsmiaow
3
6.7
A soft high sound that a kitten makes
refers to the same cat cry but in broader loudness range
mewing
vsmiaow
1
1.0
A short high sound made by a cat or young bird
covers cat sounds broadly rather than only short childish cries
1
9.6
A loud high pitched crying sound made by a cat
is the ordinary cat cry rather than a loud yowling wail
miaul
vsmiaow
9.9
A high, often soft sound that a cat makes to get attention
is identical in meaning but differs as an alternative form
8.7
A very quiet sound a cat makes by opening its mouth with almost no sound
is the general cat cry not limited to very quiet instances
playful meow
vsmiaow
4.5
A light, friendly sound a cat makes to invite play
is the general cat cry rather than one with playful tone
Compounds
How Loud
Surface Forms
Etymology
Miaow comes from people copying the sound a cat makes, just like meow or mew. So miaow means the 'cry of a cat'.