Word
paw
US/ˈpɔ/
UK/pˈɔː/
Definitions
01animal foot
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
n. the soft foot of an animal that has claws, like a cat, dog, or bear.
n. the soft, padded foot of a mammal, typically a quadruped, equipped with claws or nails.
“The cat licked its front paw after finishing its bowl of milk.”
“The biologist examined the muddy tracks, noting the distinct impression of the bear's heavy paw and sharp claws.”
02human hand
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Humorous · Informal
n. a person's hand.
n. a human hand, used in a playful or slightly disrespectful manner.
“Get your dirty paws off my clean white shirt.”
“He reached out with his giant paws and grabbed the tiny sandwich in one go.”
03animal scratching
B1 · Intermediate
v. when an animal touches or hits something with its foot.
v. to strike or scrape with a paw or foot, often repeatedly.
“The dog began to paw at the door because it wanted to go outside.”
“The stallion began to paw the ground impatiently, sensing the approach of the other horses.”
04touching clumsily
C1 · Advanced Informal
v. to touch someone or something in a rough, clumsy, or unwanted way.
v. to handle or touch someone or something in a clumsy, intrusive, or sexually aggressive manner.
“I didn't like the way he was pawing at my expensive silk dress.”
“She felt uncomfortable when the stranger started pawing her arm during the conversation.”
Synonyms
Usage
Commonly used in the plural when referring to an animal's movement or tracks.
Etymology
From Middle English pawe, from Old French poue, poe, from Frankish pōta, from Frankish pōtōn (“to put, stick, plant”), from Proto-Germanic *putōną, whence also Old English potian (“to push”), pȳtan (“to put out, poke out”). See more at put. Doublet of pote, put, and putt. Cognate with Dutch poot, poten (“to plant”), Low German Pote, German Pfote, Icelandic pota (“to stick”).
The word probably has an origin in baby talk. See pa.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. monkey paw
02. monkey's paw
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/paw