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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When allergies affect feline skin, symptoms include scratching at their face and ears, scabs on their skin and fur loss. Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 To coincide with the feline fashion statement, Doja also showed off prosthetics to make her face appear more cat-like. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 6 May 2025 Tucked away in cat room at the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Humane Society in Lima, Dude waits patiently for a home — despite the fact that he’s been diagnosed with a common immune deficiency called feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2025 Scientists continue to debate where and how our feline friends first went from wild hunters to household companions. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feline

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feline. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!