purr
verb/pɜː(r)/
/pɜːr/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they purr | /pɜː(r)/ /pɜːr/ |
| he / she / it purrs | /pɜːz/ /pɜːrz/ |
| past simple purred | /pɜːd/ /pɜːrd/ |
| past participle purred | /pɜːd/ /pɜːrd/ |
| -ing form purring | /ˈpɜːrɪŋ/ /ˈpɜːrɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive] when a cat purrs, it makes a low continuous sound in the throat, especially when it is happy or comfortable
- The cat was purring contentedly on my lap.
- [intransitive] (of a machine or vehicle) to make a low continuous sound; to move making such a sound
- a purring engine
- The car purred away.
Extra ExamplesTopics Transport by car or lorryc2- She turned the key and the engine purred to life.
- The car purred smoothly along the narrow lane.
- [intransitive, transitive] (+ speech) to speak in a low and gentle voice, for example to show you are happy or satisfied, or because you want to attract somebody or get them to do something
- He was purring with satisfaction.
Word Originearly 17th cent.: imitative.
Check pronunciation:
purr