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View synonyms for purr

purr

[ pur ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to utter a low, continuous, murmuring sound expressive of contentment or pleasure, as a cat does.
  2. (of things) to make a sound suggestive of the purring of a cat:

    The new motor of the car purred.



verb (used with object)

  1. to express by or as if by purring.

noun

  1. the low, vibrating sound made by a cat by the contracting of the laryngeal muscles and the diaphragm as it breathes.
  2. a sound resembling this.
  3. the act of purring.

purr

/ pɜː /

verb

  1. intr (esp of cats) to make a low vibrant sound, usually considered as expressing pleasure, etc
  2. tr to express (pleasure, etc) by this sound
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


noun

  1. a purring sound
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • purring·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of purr1

First recorded in 1595–1605; imitative
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Word History and Origins

Origin of purr1

C17: of imitative origin; compare French ronronner to purr, German schnurren, Dutch snorren
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Example Sentences

Yet it only takes one turn—whether it’s the jolt of hardpack or the velvety purr of plundering pow—to remember what happiness is.

On this week’s episode of Weirdest Thing, we get into the use of real-world animal sounds for creating everything from the purr of an engine to the sci-fi whoosh of a TIE fighter.

If there was an Oscar for performances by felines, Inside Llewyn Davis should rightfully have claimed that too, with a purr.

“We always have fun,” she confided in her lilting Slovenian purr.

Move cautiously and reassuringly and the bear will purr contentedly.

She would put her paws on his shoulders, and rub his face, and purr in a most contented manner.

Then the room became silent, and I heard her heavy breathing, like the deep purr of a cat.

"Back—some time," replied Chester's voice, rising above the low purr of the engine with a note of satisfaction in it.

Catching the throbbing purr of the Imp as the car swung in at the driveway Chester jumped up.

The scaup came down the sky in dark masses, giving a rippling purr as they flew.

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