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 of purr

Noun

• hum
• whisper

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

Highlights and experiences It is always a special event stepping out of Venice’s airport onto a pontoon and a polished mahogany water taxi that drops you off canalside near your hotel, after a purr through the Grand Canal. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Sep. 2026

Kimie Smothermon begins each day greeted by the squeals, chirps and purrs of nearly 400 guinea pigs. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Working with Nic was like driving a Lamborghini that could shift from unbreakable speed to idling like a purring lioness. — Griffin Dunne, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026

Once a recipe is chosen, clientele relax; zoning out in nearby chairs as glass tubes alight and the machine purrs from within. — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for purr

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fir
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• myrrh

Kids Definition

purr

noun

ˈpər

: a low murmuring sound of a contented cat

purr verb