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

Over a plate of fries, Alaska spoke in her signature bass purr about the meaning of family and the merits of drag. —Lanna Apisukh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024

Stocking Stuffers Under $30 Cat lovers will purr over these adorable bowls. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

And for good reason: Cats are the quirky balls of fur and love that purr their way into our hearts. —Jackie (ott) Jaakola, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Other signs of cat love according to O'Callaghan include head-butting, slow-blinking, following you around, kneading you, bringing you gifts, and of course, purring while near you, and showing physical signs of affection. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 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