cat
gb/kˈæt/ us/kˈæt/
A1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
A small pet feline
A small animal with fur, four legs, and a tail that people often keep as a pet.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a cat
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'cat' with 'kitten'; 'kitten' refers only to a young cat.
Synonyms
feline (More formal or scientific term for members of the cat family, not limited to domestic cats.)
Antonyms
dog (A common household pet that contrasts with cats in species and behavior.)
Collocations
pet cat
|stray cat
|black cat
|cat food
|cat owner
Themes
animals
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- My cat loves to sleep in the sun.
- They adopted a stray cat from the shelter.
- The cat chased the mouse across the kitchen.
- Her cat has beautiful green eyes.
- A black cat crossed the road in front of us.
Learner examples
- I have a cat at home.
- The cat is on the bed.
- That cat is very small.
- My cat likes milk.
Noun
informal
B1
entity
2
Informal term for a man
An informal word for a man, often used in music or art circles.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a cool cat
Common mistake:
Learners may think this refers to an animal; context usually makes clear it means a person.
Synonyms
guy (Neutral informal term for a man; lacks the cultural connotation of 'cat'.)
Antonyms
woman (Refers to an adult female, opposite of 'man' when 'cat' is used for male.)
Collocations
cool cat
|hep cat
|that cat
Themes
people
|slang
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He's one cool cat on the saxophone.
- That cat can really dance.
- Every cat in the club was watching her sing.
Learner examples
- He is a cool cat.
- That cat plays the piano well.
- I like that cat; he is nice.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Catalytic converter in a car
A part of a car that helps clean the gases before they leave the exhaust pipe.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the animal; in automotive contexts it means catalytic converter.
Synonyms
catalytic converter (The full technical term; 'cat' is an abbreviation.)
Collocations
replace the cat
|faulty cat
Themes
technology
|transport
|transportation
|science
Examples
- The mechanic said my car needs a new cat.
- A faulty cat can cause the car to fail an emissions test.
- The stolen cats were sold for their precious metals.
Learner examples
- The car has a bad cat.
- He will change the cat in his car.
- The mechanic fixed the car's cat.
Grammar
Expressions
like a cat on a hot tin roof
1/lˈaɪk ə kˈæt ˈɔn ə hˈɑt tˈɪn ɹˈuf/
idiom
informal
Extremely nervous or restless
Very nervous or unable to stay still.
Examples
- She was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for her exam results.
- He paced around like a cat on a hot tin roof.
look like the cat that got the cream
1/lˈʊk lˈaɪk ðə kˈæt ðˈæt ɡˈɑt ðə kɹˈim/
idiom
informal
Look very self-satisfied
To look very happy and proud because you got what you wanted.
Examples
- After winning the award, he looked like the cat that got the cream.
- She came back from the meeting looking like the cat that got the cream.
copycat
1/kˈɑpikˌæt/
fixed phrase
informal
A person who imitates others
Someone who does the same things as another person.
Examples
- Don't be such a copycat; find your own ideas.
- Don't be such a copycat—think of your own ideas.
- Her little brother is always being a copycat.
- She called him a copycat for wearing the same outfit.
curiosity killed the cat
1/kjˌʊɹiˈɑsəti kˈɪld ðə kˈæt/
idiom
informal
warning against being too curious
Used to warn someone that asking too many questions or being too interested could cause problems.
Examples
- Don't ask too many questions—curiosity killed the cat.
- Be careful asking about his past—curiosity killed the cat.
- He kept digging into their private affairs, but curiosity killed the cat.
- I know you want to look, but remember, curiosity killed the cat.
let the cat out of the bag
1/lˈɛt ðə kˈæt ˈaʊt əv ðə bˈæɡ/
idiom
informal
Reveal a secret by mistake
To tell something secret by accident or too soon.
Examples
- I was trying to keep it a surprise, but John let the cat out of the bag.
- She let the cat out of the bag about their engagement.
let the cat out of the bag
2/lˈɛt ðə kˈæt ˈaʊt əv ðə bˈæɡ/
idiom
Reveal a secret too soon
To tell someone a secret by mistake or too early.
Examples
- He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
- Don't let the cat out of the bag before her birthday.