Meaning & use
cat calls
Last updated
“cat calls” is a form of “cat call”.
Meaning
nounplural
Loud whistles or shouts, often of a sexual nature, made by someone to get another person's attention in public.
Grammar: Used as a plural noun; the singular form is 'cat call'. It is often followed by 'from' to show who is doing it.
Patterns
- cat calls from someone
- cat calls at someone
She walked past the construction site and heard cat calls from the workers.
The new law aims to stop cat calls and other forms of street harassment.
He was embarrassed by the cat calls his friends made at the passing women.
Word forms
| singular | cat call |
|---|
Common combinations
- wolf whistles and cat calls
- The comedian received wolf whistles and cat calls from the rowdy audience.
- shout cat calls
- Some men still shout cat calls at women in the street.
- ignore cat calls
- She tried to ignore the cat calls and kept walking.
- a barrage of cat calls
- The actress faced a barrage of cat calls as she left the theater.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wolf whistle
- A specific two-note whistle, often part of cat calls, but cat calls can also include words and other noises.
- harassment
- A broader term for any repeated unwanted behavior; cat calls are one type of street harassment.
Word family
- catcall verb
- To make cat calls at someone.
Commonly confused: cat calls or catcall?
cat calls vs catcall
This is the singular form or the verb; 'cat calls' is the plural noun. Don't mix them up in writing.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'cat calls' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The preposition 'from' indicates the source of the cat calls. 'Of', 'to', and 'for' do not fit this meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cat calls”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.