: a low vibratory murmur typical of an apparently contented or pleased cat
purred; purring; purrs
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
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
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Seely’s voice brings in a slice of gritty wisdom, Dasher’s vocal purrs with sweetness, while Dasher offers up both humor and wit.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2025
Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 25 May 2025
Cats are beloved members of many families, with 73.8 million of them prowling and purring their way around 42 million American households.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
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Noun
The three of them shared head bonks, muzzle rubs, purrs, and cuddling!!
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Seely’s voice brings in a slice of gritty wisdom, Dasher’s vocal purrs with sweetness, while Dasher offers up both humor and wit.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
And your cat will absolutely join you, probably propping themselves right on your back and purring you into a lulled, wonderfully peaceful nap.
—Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 25 May 2025
Cats are beloved members of many families, with 73.8 million of them prowling and purring their way around 42 million American households.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for purr
Cite this Entry
“Purr.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purr. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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