purr

1 of 2

noun

ˈpər 

: a low vibratory murmur typical of an apparently contented or pleased cat

purr

2 of 2

verb

purred; purring; purrs

intransitive verb

1

: to make a purr or a sound like a purr

cars purring along the highway

2

a

: to speak in a manner that resembles a purr

b

: to speak in a malicious catty manner

purringly

ˈpər-iŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Noun

• burr
• buzz
• chirr
• churr
• drone
• hum
• thrum
• whir
• whirr
• whiz
• whizz
• zoom

Examples of purr in a Sentence

Noun

the soft purr of a car engine

listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine

Verb

The cat was purring contentedly in my lap.

The cars were purring along the highway.

“You look tense. Let me buy you a drink,” he purred.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This little kitty purrs, walks, and even tumbles, giving my daughter all the fun of having another cat without the extra fur or midnight meows. —Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 2 Nov. 2024

Not all cats purr – some are physically unable to produce the vibrations. —Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2024

Verb

But few of the directors who would join V/H/S over the years that followed introduced a more memorable creature — a birdlike demon who oscillates from purring affection to ravenous rage — or so skillfully tracked the running bodies captured by a running camera. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2024

Preserving its rainforest is a priority, which keeps its economy purring along with global commerce. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

imitative

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1620, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

purr

noun

ˈpər

: a low murmuring sound of a contented cat

purr verb