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Glite Dictionary
durn cat

durn cat

9.9
A cat that causes trouble and annoys people, said jokingly or with mild annoyance
  • noun
  • Informal
translation icon : maldito gato
  • I can't believe that durn cat knocked over my coffee again.

Examples

  • I can't believe that durn cat stole my lunch again.

  • Whenever the durn cat sneaks outside, it takes me hours to find her.

  • Grandpa grumbled about the durn cat sleeping on his favorite chair.

  • That durn cat knocked over my coffee!

  • I can't believe that durn cat knocked over my coffee again.

  • Grandpa grumbled about the durn cat sleeping on his favorite chair.

  • Whenever the durn cat sneaks outside, it takes me hours to find her.

Synonyms

pussy
vsdurn cat
  • Informal
81 4.5

A small cat that people keep at home

is used humorously with mild annoyance toward a troublesome animal
puss
vsdurn cat
  • Informal
12 7.9

A small cat often kept as a pet

is used humorously to show mild annoyance at a troublesome animal
puddy
vsdurn cat
  • Baby Talk
2 9.9

A word children use for a cat

is used playfully with mild annoyance about a troublesome animal
puss-puss
vsdurn cat
  • Informal
1 9.9

A name people use to call a cat or kitten

is used jokingly with irritation toward a troublesome animal

Antonyms

well behaved
1 1.2

A child or pet that acts politely and calmly

How Troublesome

nuisance
62 3.6
durn cat
  • Informal
9.9
pet
754 1.0

Surface Forms

durn cat singular
durn cats plural

Morphology

durn + cat

The meaning 'a cat that is causing trouble or frustration' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'durn' (an evaluative/complaining adjective) with 'cat' (the animal). This follows a simple adjective+noun composition and the evaluative/pejorative function of 'durn' is cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the intended annoyed meaning despite the informal register.

Etymology

Durn cat comes from people using durn as a softer way to say 'damn' when a cat misbehaves. So calling a pet a durn cat gives the image of a naughty cat that makes you mildly angry, which is why it means 'a cat that causes trouble'.