feline

adjective

fe·​line ˈfē-ˌlīn How to pronounce feline (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or affecting cats or the cat family
2
: resembling a cat: such as
a
: sleekly graceful
c
feline noun
felinely adverb
felinity 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 Chase’s health has also been impacted by his positive diagnosis of feline immunodeficiency virus, which causes AIDS in cats, according to Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 She’s been known to build up confidence with another feline companion, but that’s not a requirement. Teryn Jones, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 What the new survey data provide are clarity and details about how our feline companions come to retrieve. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 14 Dec. 2023 Any cat owner knows how much our feline friends seem to bask in the coziness of a box. Popular Science, 21 Feb. 2024 Engage your feline friend with the top puzzles, lasers, wands, and more In This Article Why Trust PEOPLE? Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2024 The Edwardian artist is credited with increasing the cute appeal of our feline friends by giving them human hobbies and pastimes. Zara Khan, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024 Canine tracks are more elongated while feline tracks are wider. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 7 Feb. 2024 Cooper started cracking up as Mayer introduced a few of feline friends from the establishment — called Cats in the Box and located in Tokyo’s Shinjuku center — with a totally straight face. Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 1 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin felinus, from felis

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feline was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near feline

Cite this Entry

“Feline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feline. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

feline

1 of 2 adjective
fe·​line
ˈfē-ˌlīn
1
a
: belonging to the family of flesh-eating mammals with soft fur that includes the cats, lions, tigers, leopards, pumas, and lynxes
b
: of or resembling a cat : characteristic of cats
2

feline

2 of 2 noun
: a feline animal : cat

Medical Definition

feline

adjective
fe·​line ˈfē-ˌlīn How to pronounce feline (audio)
: of, relating to, or affecting cats or the family Felidae
feline noun

More from Merriam-Webster on feline

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