Explanation at your level:
A cat is an animal. A cat makes a sound. The sound is 'meow'. When one cat makes this sound, we say: 'The cat meows.' You can use this word when you talk about your pet at home. It is a very easy and fun word to learn!
When you have a cat, it often meows to talk to you. It might meow when it is hungry or when it wants to play. Remember, we only use 'meows' for one cat. If you have two cats, they 'meow' together. It is a simple way to describe cat sounds.
Using the word meows helps you describe animal behavior clearly. Native speakers use it in daily life to explain why a pet is making noise. For example, 'My cat meows whenever I open a can of food.' It is a specific verb that creates a clear image in the listener's mind.
While meows is a simple verb, it can be used to add color to your storytelling. You might say, 'The cat meows insistently at the window,' to show that the animal is impatient. It is a great way to show nuance in your descriptions of animal interactions in both writing and speech.
In more advanced contexts, meows can be used to personify an animal's actions. Writers often use it to convey the emotional state of a pet. By choosing this specific verb, you are highlighting the communicative intent of the animal, turning a simple sound into a deliberate act of expression.
At the mastery level, meows serves as a linguistic bridge between onomatopoeia and functional verbs. Its usage reflects the cultural bond between humans and domestic animals. Even in academic discussions regarding ethology, the term remains the standard descriptor for feline vocalization, illustrating how simple words maintain their utility across all levels of discourse.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Meows is the third-person singular of meow.
- It describes the sound a cat makes.
- It is a casual, everyday word.
- It is an onomatopoeic term.
The word meows is the simple present tense of the verb to meow. It is specifically used when talking about a single cat—for example, 'My cat meows at the door.' Because it is an onomatopoeic word, it mimics the actual sound the animal makes.
You will mostly use this word when describing the behavior of a pet. It is a very common, everyday term that everyone understands. Whether you are talking about a hungry kitten or a cat asking to go outside, meows is the perfect verb to describe that high-pitched vocalization.
The word meow is a classic example of onomatopoeia, which means the word itself sounds like the noise it describes. It appeared in English during the 19th century, evolving from older imitative sounds like 'miau' or 'meau.'
Interestingly, many languages have different versions of this sound based on how humans hear the cat. While English speakers use 'meow,' other languages might use 'miau' in Spanish or 'nyan' in Japanese. The suffix -s was added to follow standard English grammar rules for third-person singular subjects.
You will mostly use meows in casual, everyday conversation. It is not a formal word, but it is perfectly acceptable in any context where you are discussing pets. Common collocations include 'loudly meows,' 'softly meows,' or 'constantly meows.'
The register is informal and friendly. You would not typically use this word in a scientific paper unless you were conducting a study on animal behavior. It is a lighthearted, descriptive term that brings a sense of life to your sentences.
While there are few formal idioms containing 'meows,' we often use the sound metaphorically. 1. Cat's meow: Something excellent or stylish. 2. Meow back: To respond to someone in a sassy way. 3. Hear a meow: To detect a sound. 4. Stop the meowing: To tell someone to stop complaining. 5. Like a meow: Describing a very soft sound.
As a verb, meows follows the standard rule of adding an 's' to the base form for he, she, or it. The IPA pronunciation is /miːaʊz/ in both British and American English. It rhymes with words like brows, cows, and vows.
Be careful not to confuse the verb with the plural noun 'meows.' The pronunciation of the 'z' sound at the end is very important for clarity. Practice saying it by focusing on the transition from the vowel sound to the final buzzing 'z' sound.
Fun Fact
It is one of the few words that sounds almost identical in many different languages.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'mee-owz'.
Sounds like 'mee-owz'.
Common Errors
- forgetting the z sound
- saying me-oh instead of me-ow
- stressing the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Very easy to write
Easy to pronounce
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Subject-Verb Agreement
He meows.
Present Simple Tense
The cat meows daily.
Third Person Singular
She/He/It meows.
Examples by Level
The cat meows.
The cat makes a sound.
Subject + verb.
My cat meows.
My cat makes a sound.
Possessive + noun + verb.
It meows now.
It is making a sound now.
Pronoun + verb + adverb.
She meows loud.
She makes a loud sound.
Subject + verb + adjective.
He meows here.
He makes a sound here.
Subject + verb + adverb.
The kitten meows.
The baby cat makes a sound.
Article + noun + verb.
My pet meows.
My animal makes a sound.
Possessive + noun + verb.
A cat meows.
One cat makes a sound.
Article + noun + verb.
The hungry cat meows for food.
My neighbor's cat meows all night.
The little kitten meows when it is cold.
Every morning, my cat meows at me.
The cat meows softly in my lap.
Why does your cat meows so much?
The cat meows until I open the door.
He meows whenever he sees a bird.
The cat meows insistently until I feed it.
I can hear how the cat meows when it wants attention.
She meows with a very high pitch.
The cat meows at the birds through the window.
It meows in a way that sounds like a human baby.
My cat meows whenever I come home from work.
The stray cat meows at the back door.
He meows to let me know he is ready for dinner.
The cat meows plaintively, clearly feeling lonely.
Whenever the cat meows, I know exactly what she wants.
The cat meows in a rhythmic pattern to get my attention.
He meows with such urgency that I have to check on him.
The cat meows at the closed door, demanding to be let in.
She meows to express her frustration with the weather.
The cat meows continuously until the bowl is filled.
It meows in a tone that is almost conversational.
The cat meows with a distinct cadence that suggests impatience.
The cat meows to bridge the communication gap with its owner.
The cat meows, a sound that resonates through the quiet house.
He meows in a manner that seems almost deliberate and calculated.
The cat meows, signaling its desire for social interaction.
She meows with a persistence that is impossible to ignore.
The cat meows, punctuating the silence of the afternoon.
The cat meows, a vocalization that serves as a plea for affection.
The cat meows, a primal sound that echoes in the stillness.
The cat meows, articulating a feline desire through vocal inflection.
The cat meows with a nuance that only a long-term owner could interpret.
The cat meows, a behavior that has evolved alongside human companionship.
The cat meows, its vocalizations serving as a complex social tool.
The cat meows, a sound that has become synonymous with domestic comfort.
The cat meows, expressing a range of emotions through pitch and volume.
The cat meows, a simple act that bridges the species divide.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"cat's meow"
something excellent
That new car is the cat's meow.
casual"meow back"
to reply sassily
Don't meow back at me!
casual"hear a meow"
to detect a noise
I think I heard a meow outside.
neutral"stop the meowing"
stop complaining
Please stop the meowing about your work.
casual"meow like a cat"
to imitate a cat
He can meow like a cat perfectly.
neutral"a soft meow"
a quiet sound
I heard a soft meow from the box.
neutralEasily Confused
Base form vs singular
Meow is base, meows is singular
Cats meow; the cat meows.
Similar sound
Mews is a place for horses
The cat mews (rare) vs the stable mews.
Similar spelling
Moos is for cows
The cow moos.
Tense confusion
Meowed is past
He meowed yesterday.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + meows
The cat meows.
Subject + meows + at + object
He meows at me.
Subject + meows + for + object
She meows for food.
Subject + meows + adverb
It meows loudly.
Subject + meows + prep + location
The cat meows at the door.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Relacionado
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
Third person singular needs an 's'.
Plural subjects do not take an 's'.
Past tense is meowed, not meows.
Present continuous is meowing.
We use 'at' for animal sounds.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a cat on your front porch meowing.
Native Speaker Tip
Use it when talking about your pet.
Cat Culture
Cats are very popular pets in English-speaking countries.
The S Rule
Always add -s for he, she, it.
The Z Sound
Make sure to emphasize the z at the end.
Plural Mistake
Don't add s to plural subjects.
Onomatopoeia
It sounds like the noise.
Listen to Cats
Watch cat videos and listen for the sound.
Subject Agreement
Check your subject first.
Descriptive Writing
Use adverbs with meows.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Meow sounds like the cat's name for itself.
Visual Association
A cat with its mouth open wide.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to count how many times your cat meows today.
Origem da palavra
English
Original meaning: Imitative sound of a cat
Contexto cultural
None
Used frequently in children's books and pet-related discussions.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at home
- my cat meows
- he meows for food
- stop meowing
at the vet
- the cat meows a lot
- is it normal that he meows?
in stories
- the cat meows softly
- the cat meows in the dark
talking to friends
- my cat meows at 5am
- he meows all day
Conversation Starters
"Does your cat meows a lot?"
"What do you think your cat meows about?"
"Do you like it when your cat meows?"
"Have you ever heard a cat that meows like a human?"
"Why do you think the cat meows at the door?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time your pet meows.
Write a story about a cat that meows music.
Why do cats meow at humans? Write your theory.
Imagine a world where cats talk instead of meows.
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasIt is primarily a verb, but 'meow' can be a noun.
M-E-O-W-S.
No, dogs bark.
No, it is casual.
No, use 'meow' for plural.
Meowed.
Meowing.
To communicate with humans.
Teste-se
The cat ___ at the door.
Third person singular.
Which sentence is correct?
Subject-verb agreement.
The word 'meows' is a noun.
It is a verb.
Word
Significado
Grammar categories.
Subject-verb-adverb.
My cat ___ for food.
Present tense.
What does 'meows' mean?
Definition.
Can you use 'meows' for a dog?
Dogs bark.
Adverb placement.
The cat ___ in the night.
Simple present.
Pontuação: /10
Summary
The word 'meows' is the perfect way to describe the vocal sound a cat makes when it wants to talk to you.
- Meows is the third-person singular of meow.
- It describes the sound a cat makes.
- It is a casual, everyday word.
- It is an onomatopoeic term.
Memory Palace
Imagine a cat on your front porch meowing.
Native Speaker Tip
Use it when talking about your pet.
Cat Culture
Cats are very popular pets in English-speaking countries.
The S Rule
Always add -s for he, she, it.
