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Meaning & use

catcalling

noun·Everydaydisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˈkætˌkɔːlɪŋ/
US/ˈkætˌkɔːlɪŋ/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The act of shouting or whistling unwanted sexual remarks at a passer-by in a public place.

    Grammar: Not used with an or a plural: catcalling is common here, not a catcalling.

    Patterns

    • catcalling from someone
    • a victim of catcalling

    Many women say catcalling makes them change their route home.

    The city launched a campaign to make catcalling socially unacceptable.

    Workers on the building site were warned that catcalling would lead to dismissal.

  2. noununcountableold-fashioned

    Loud, mocking shouts and whistles from an audience to show disapproval of a performer or speaker.

    Grammar: Often appears with from: catcalling from the crowd.

    Patterns

    • catcalling from the audience

    The singer left the stage amid catcalling from the back rows.

    Constant catcalling made it impossible for the candidate to finish her speech.

Common combinations

street catcalling
Street catcalling is now an offence in several cities.
put up with catcalling
No one should have to put up with catcalling on the way to work.
report catcalling
Students were urged to report catcalling near the campus.
endure catcalling
She endured catcalling every time she passed the corner.
an end to catcalling
Activists are calling for an end to catcalling.

Synonyms and how they differ

street harassment
Street harassment is the broader term and covers following and touching as well as shouted remarks, while catcalling is mainly verbal.
heckling
Heckling means shouting rude interruptions at a speaker and carries no sexual meaning, unlike the main sense of catcalling.
wolf-whistling
Wolf-whistling refers only to the whistle, whereas catcalling includes shouted words as well.

Opposites

respect

Word family

catcall noun
a single shouted or whistled remark of this kind
catcall verb
to shout or whistle at someone in this way
catcaller noun
a person who catcalls

Commonly confused: catcalling or caterwauling?

catcalling vs caterwauling

Caterwauling means a loud, harsh wailing noise, like cats fighting, and does not refer to remarks aimed at a person.

Practice

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