# kitten

/ˈkɪtən/ (US) · /kˈɪtən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/kitten
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. young cat

noun · CEFR A1

a young cat, usually less than a year old.

For teachers: a juvenile domestic cat, typically before it reaches sexual maturity.

- The small kitten played with a piece of string on the rug.
- The shelter rescued a stray kitten that was barely six weeks old and required immediate veterinary attention.

### 3. term of endearment

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a sweet or romantic name you call someone you like.

For teachers: a term of endearment, often used affectionately for a romantic partner.

- He often calls his girlfriend 'kitten' when they are joking around.
- While some find the use of 'kitten' as a pet name charming, others may perceive it as somewhat patronising in a modern professional context.

### 4. to give birth

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

when a cat gives birth to babies.

For teachers: to give birth to young; specifically used for cats and certain other small mammals.

- Our cat is expected to kitten sometime next week.
- The vet advised the owners to provide a quiet, dark space where the queen could kitten without being disturbed by other household pets.

Usage: The verb is usually intransitive but can take an object.

## Examples

- The tiny kitten is sleeping in a basket.
- Our neighbor's cat just had a litter of five kittens, and they are starting to explore the garden.
- While the adult cat remained aloof and cautious, the kitten approached the stranger with a mix of clumsy curiosity and boundless energy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.