# Tom

/ˈtɑm/ (US) · /tˈɒm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tom
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. male cat

noun · CEFR B1

a male cat, especially one that has not been neutered.

For teachers: a male domesticated cat, specifically an intact male.

- The neighbor's ginger tom was sitting on the fence and watching the birds.
- An unneutered tom will often wander far from home in search of a mate, marking its territory with a strong scent.

### 2. male turkey

noun · CEFR B2

a male turkey.

For teachers: a male turkey, typically characterized by its larger size and ability to fan its tail.

- The big tom turkey puffed out its feathers to look impressive.
- During the spring mating season, the tom displays its colorful plumage and gobbles loudly to attract the attention of nearby hens.

### 3. drum

noun · CEFR B2

a type of drum that makes a deep sound, often part of a drum kit.

For teachers: a cylindrical drum without snares, used as part of a standard drum kit; a clipping of 'tom-tom'.

- The drummer played a fast rhythm on the floor tom during the solo.
- The engineer spent hours tuning the rack toms to ensure they had a clean, resonant decay that wouldn't muddy the recording.

### 4. jewellery

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Dialect

a slang word for jewellery.

For teachers: a slang term for jewellery, derived from the Cockney rhyming slang 'Tom Foolery'.

- He was wearing a lot of expensive tom around his neck.
- The local thieves were known for targeting tourists who displayed too much flashy tom in the market.

### 5. to act servile

verb · CEFR C1 · American English · Slang · Informal

to act in a way that is too helpful or obedient to white people in power.

For teachers: to behave in an obsequiously servile manner toward white authority figures; derived from the 'Uncle Tom' archetype.

- The community criticized the politician for tomming to the city council.
- The activist warned that tomming for the sake of political gain would only undermine the movement's long-term goals.

Teaching tip: This term is highly derogatory and carries significant racial weight; learners should be aware of its offensive nature.

## Examples

- My friend Tom lives in London.
- The neighbor's large ginger tom often sits on the garden wall to watch the birds.
- While the name Tom remains a staple of English nomenclature, its use as a generic descriptor for male animals highlights how specific names can transition into functional vocabulary.

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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.