purr

¹purr

noun \ˈpər\

Definition of PURR

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

Examples of PURR

1. the soft purr of a car engine
2. <listened to the reassuring purr of the car engine>

Origin of PURR

imitative

First Known Use: 1601

Related to PURR

Synonyms

burr, buzz, chirr, churr, drone, hum, thrum, whir (also whirr), whiz (or whizz), zoom

Related Words

babble, coo, gasp, gurgle, hiss, moan, murmur, rustle, sigh, suspiration, susurration, susurrus, whisper; whish, zing, zip

Near Antonyms

bawl, howl, roar, scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeal, yelp, yell

Rhymes with PURR

birr, blur, burr, Burr, chirr, churr, cur, curr, err, fir, for, fur, her, knur, murre, myrrh, per, shirr, sir, skirr, slur, spur, stir, thir, whir, your

²purr

intransitive verb

Definition of PURR

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

— purr·ing·ly \-iŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of PURR

1. The cat was purring contentedly in my lap.
2. The cars were purring along the highway.
3. “You look tense. Let me buy you a drink,” he purred.

First Known Use of PURR

1620