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to purr

to purr

20 1.0
To make a low soft vibrating sound in the throat when happy
  • verb
  • /pɜr/
translation icon : ronronear
  • A happy cat will purr.
  • cat purred
  • purred like a kitten
  • purred contentedly

But he did purr for the first time while cuddling.

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Examples

  • And then you can pet her, and she'll purr when you're doing it right.

    Blog text (26)
  • Hobbes sat purring happily on my lap this evening as we mused about the day's experiences.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I've never heard a cat purr before and it's so sweet.

  • Listen to it purr just like a kitten.

  • A cat crouches on Sam's chest at dawn, tucking its paws under and purring.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • When I pet my cat, she starts to purr softly in my lap.

  • The kitten curled up next to me, and I could hear it purr happily.

  • As soon as he gets comfortable, he likes to purr to show he's content.

Synonyms

to murr
vsto purr
9.9

To make a low soft sound that shows a cat is happy

is a continuous throat vibration expressing pleasure rather than a rumble

Antonyms

76 2.2

To make a low, deep sound to warn or show anger

31 4.2

To speak in a low, sharp voice to show anger or warn someone

How Loud

to rumble
  • Literature
84 2.5
to thrum
8.0
to purr
20 1.0

Surface Forms

purr infinitive
purred past
purred past participle
purring present participle
purrs third person singular

Etymology

Purr as a verb also comes from copying that same sound: to purr is to make a low, vibrating noise in the throat when a cat is calm and pleased. That's why to purr means 'to show pleasure' by making that soft sound.