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neko

neko

1 9.9
A character with cat ears and a tail who often appears in Japanese anime
  • noun
  • /ˈnɛkoʊ/
  • Jargon
: neko
  • The neko in the anime had large ears and a tail, making her look adorable.

Examples

  • And going further, it wittingly takes the "Warawanai Neko" heroine and makes an exhibit of her with all the cuddly aspects of nekos.

    Blog text (29)
  • This is the perfect Neko Chan blush highlight contour palette per and it's like purr per like like I just think it's actually so cute.

  • "You even have maneki neko underwear."

    Fiction book (1998)
  • She had just discovered the maneki-neko box in her flight bag.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • A maneki-neko was nestled inside white foam padding.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • In the popular game, players can collect various neko characters to decorate their virtual home.

  • She dressed up as a neko for the costume party, complete with cat ears and a fluffy tail.

Synonyms

kitty
vsneko
  • Baby Talk
165 1.0

A house cat people call in a friendly way, often by children

is applied also to catlike characters in Japanese anime and manga
kitty-cat
vsneko
  • Baby Talk
30 3.5

A pet cat people call in a friendly way to children

is used for catlike characters in Japanese anime and manga
nyau
vsneko
  • Slang
9.9

A playful name for a pet cat

is used to refer also to catlike figures in Japanese anime and manga

Surface Forms

neko singular
nekos plural

Etymology

Neko is the Japanese word for 'cat'. In English fan language, especially around anime and manga, neko often means a person or character with cat ears or a tail, so the origin explains why it refers to 'cat-like' characters.