Meaning & use
engine purring
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Making a soft, low, continuous sound like a happy cat, used especially of an engine running smoothly.
Grammar: Used after 'be' or as a reduced clause: 'The engine was purring.' 'With the engine purring, we drove off.'
Patterns
- the engine is purring
- with the engine purring
- keep the engine purring
After the repair, the engine was purring like a kitten.
She sat in the car with the engine purring, waiting for him.
The old truck's engine purred as it climbed the hill.
Common combinations
- purring engine
- The purring engine made the long drive relaxing.
- engine purring quietly
- The engine was purring quietly in the background.
- hear the engine purring
- You could hear the engine purring from across the street.
- keep the engine purring
- Regular oil changes keep the engine purring.
Synonyms and how they differ
- humming
- Use 'humming' for a steady musical sound; 'purring' suggests a softer, more cat-like vibration.
- idling
- 'Idling' just means the engine is running while the car is not moving; it doesn't describe the sound.
Opposites
Commonly confused: engine purring or purring?
engine purring vs purring
Usually describes cats; when used of engines it is a metaphor for a smooth, quiet sound.
Practice
Which sentence best describes a car engine that is running smoothly and quietly?
Choose one answer.
'Purring' suggests a soft, continuous, contented sound, which fits a smooth engine. 'Knocking' and 'roaring' suggest problems or noise, and 'stalling' means stopping suddenly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “engine purring”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.