1 feline | Definition of feline

feline

adjective
fe·​line | \ ˈfÄ“-ËŒlÄ«n How to pronounce feline (audio) \

Definition of feline

1 : of, relating to, or affecting cats or the cat family
2 : resembling a cat: such as
a : sleekly graceful
c : stealthy

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Other Words from feline

feline noun
felinely adverb
felinity \ fÄ“-​ˈli-​nÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce felinity (audio) \ noun

Did You Know?

Cats have always provoked a strong reaction from humans. The Egyptians worshipped them, leaving thousands of feline mummies and idols as evidence. In the Middle Ages, felines were feared as agents of the devil, and were thought to creep around silently at night doing evil. (Notice that feline is also a noun.) The fascinating family called the Felidae includes about 40 species of superb hunters, including the lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, bobcats, and lynxes, and almost all of them are smooth, silent, and independent.

Examples of feline in a Sentence

They move with feline agility. the thief was eerily feline as he moved stealthily through the darkened rooms

Recent Examples on the Web

Gail Allyn Landau this week recounted tales of the feline friends that strut about the lounge at Catmosphere Laguna. Lilly Nguyen, Daily Pilot, "Catmosphere Laguna isn’t kitten around as it celebrates a year of rescuing the felines of Orange County," 9 Aug. 2019 The Grammy winner has two other feline friends, Calippo and Dorito. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Ed Sheeran Mourns the Death of His Cat Graham," 1 Aug. 2019 Not everyone can say they get paid to drive a tank or play with feline friends at a cat cafe during work hours. Patrick Connolly, orlandosentinel.com, "Central Florida Explorer: One year of adventures down, more exploring to come," 3 July 2019 Some take their feline masters to a cat hotel in the Gangnam district of Seoul. The Economist, "Pet-ownership is booming across the world," 22 June 2019 According to WMAR2 News, Bells, an all-black, 2-year-old rescue, and her feline sibling, Charlee, were first-time flyers accompanying their owners, the Dales, a military family in the process of moving to Hawaii. Saryn Chorney, PEOPLE.com, "Cat Mysteriously Escapes Crate on BWI Airport Tarmac, Is Later Found Dead — and Owner Blames TSA," 26 June 2018 Consider Monica Vitti, who, with the help of her plush lips, rumpled blonde bob, and thick, feline flick, seduced Gabriele Ferzetti without hardly uttering a word in Antonioni’s masterpiece, L’Avventura. Sophie Schulte-hillen, Vogue, "10 Italian Beauties Who Make the Case for La Dolce Vita," 18 Sep. 2018 Out of sight means out of mind for most feline pet parents who mistakenly think their cats are fine and just somewhere in the house. Cathy M. Rosenthal, courant.com, "Pet World: Helping Dogs And Cats Survive The Fourth Of July," 22 June 2018 Ed Sheeran is an avid cat lover, so what better way to unveil his new wax figure than with the help of some feline friends? Rania Aniftos, Billboard, "Ed Sheeran's Wax Figure Took a Trip to a London Cat Cafe," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feline.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of feline

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for feline

Latin felinus, from felis

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More Definitions for feline

feline

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of feline

: of or relating to the cat family
: resembling a cat : like a cat's

feline

adjective
fe·​line | \ ˈfÄ“-ËŒlÄ«n How to pronounce feline (audio) \

Kids Definition of feline

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : of or relating to the domestic cat or a related animal (as a lion) feline anatomy
2 : like or like that of a cat feline movements

feline

noun

Kids Definition of feline (Entry 2 of 2)

: cat

feline

adjective