kitten
n. · v.-
1 young cat (n.) A1 Beginnera young cat, usually less than a year old.
a juvenile domestic cat, typically before it reaches sexual maturity.
ExampleThe small kitten played with a piece of string on the rug.
ExampleThe shelter rescued a stray kitten that was barely six weeks old and required immediate veterinary attention.
- cat
- adult cat
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2 term of endearment (n.) B2 Upper Intermediate Informala sweet or romantic name you call someone you like.
a term of endearment, often used affectionately for a romantic partner.
ExampleHe often calls his girlfriend 'kitten' when they are joking around.
ExampleWhile some find the use of 'kitten' as a pet name charming, others may perceive it as somewhat patronising in a modern professional context.
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3 to give birth (v.) C2 Proficiency Technicalwhen a cat gives birth to babies.
to give birth to young; specifically used for cats and certain other small mammals.
ExampleOur cat is expected to kitten sometime next week.
ExampleThe vet advised the owners to provide a quiet, dark space where the queen could kitten without being disturbed by other household pets.
UsageThe verb is usually intransitive but can take an object.
- whelp
From Middle English kitoun, kytton, kyton, keton (“kitten”), of obscure origin. Seemingly from, and usually explained as being from, unattested Anglo-Norman kitoun, ketun (compare Old French chitoun, cheton, chaton (“kitten”), diminutive of cat, chat (“cat”)); whence Modern French chaton (“kitten”). Similar words of Germanic origin may have reinforced this word; compare English kitling (“kit, kitten”), Low German Kitten (“kitten”), Icelandic kettlingur (“kitten”), Middle English chitte ("whelp, pup", see chit). The idea that kitoun, rather than being of Anglo-Norman origin, was in fact a purely Germanic derivation from one of these words is etymologically problematic, but cannot be definitively ruled out.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated June 20, 2026