World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesMeow
/miˈaʊ/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The characteristic plaintive cry made by a cat.
"We heard a soft meow coming from behind the bushes."
- 1
To utter the characteristic cry of a cat.
"The hungry kitten began to meow loudly near its bowl."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Imitative of the characteristic cry of a cat, dating back to the late 17th century in English. Similar onomatopoeic forms appear across many unrelated language families due to the universal acoustic mimicry of feline vocalizations.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Meow"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Meow" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
miaou
Transliteration: mjaʊ
"Le chat a poussé un petit miaou pour demander à manger."
miau
Transliteration: miˈaʊ̯
"Die Katze machte ein leises Miau."
miao
Transliteration: ˈmjaːo
"Ho sentito un miao provenire dalla cucina."
miau
Transliteration: mjaˈu
"El gato dio un tierno miau en la ventana."
miau
Transliteration: miˈaw
"O gatinho soltou um miau baixinho."
मियाऊँ
Transliteration: miyaun
"बिल्ली ने मियाऊँ की आवाज़ निकाली।"
喵
Transliteration: miāo
"猫咪发出了一声温柔的喵叫。"
야옹
Transliteration: yaong
"고양이가 야옹하고 울었습니다."
ニャー
Transliteration: nyā
"猫がニャーと鳴いた。"
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