Difference Wiki

Mew vs. Meow

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 27, 2023
Mew" is a high-pitched sound or cry a cat makes; "Meow" is the more common vocalization made by cats, typically more drawn out and varied in pitch.

Key Differences

From a linguistic perspective, "Mew" is more specific in its depiction of a cat’s vocalization, often limiting its applicability to situations illustrating soft, high-pitched cries of kittens or smaller cats. "Meow," being more versatile and widely recognized, serves as a general representation of cat sounds, accommodating varied pitches, lengths, and tonalities, hence becoming the go-to term to depict any vocalization made by cats.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Diving deeper into the nuances of "Mew," it tends to represent a sound that is more subtle and soft, usually emanating from smaller cats or kittens. This sound is often associated with a sense of vulnerability or a need for attention and care. "Meow" is generally a more assertive and variable sound, reflecting a wider range of feline emotions and desires, from seeking attention to expressing displeasure or hunger.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
Observing the contextual usage of "Mew," it’s often depicted in literature and media to portray a cat’s gentle and subtle communication, typically signifying innocence and vulnerability, primarily when characterizing the sounds made by kittens. In contrast, "Meow" is broadly used to represent the diverse array of cat vocalizations, making it a more versatile term, reflecting different states, intentions, or emotions a cat may be experiencing or expressing.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
"Mew" and "Meow" are onomatopoeic words in the English language, illustrating the varied vocalizations produced by cats. "Mew" is typically representing a high-pitched, often soft sound, resembling a cry, usually made by kittens. "Meow," on the other hand, is a more universally recognized cat vocalization, typically more drawn out and varied in pitch, utilized by cats of all ages to communicate with humans and other animals.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Comparison Chart

Sound Characteristics

High-pitched, Soft
Varied pitch, More drawn out
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Commonly Associated With

Kittens, Smaller cats
Cats of all ages
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
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Contextual Usage

Illustrates innocence and vulnerability
Represents diverse array of cat vocalizations
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Representation in Media

Portrays subtle, gentle communication
Depicts a versatile range of cat sounds
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Linguistic Specificity

More specific, denotes soft cries
General, accommodates varied sounds
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023

Mew and Meow Definitions

Mew

A signal of vulnerability or a need for care in cats.
The lost kitten’s mew echoed in the quiet alley.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 27, 2023

Meow

A varied sound used by cats to communicate different emotions or desires.
The prolonged meow of the cat was a clear signal of its displeasure.
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

The soft, pleading sound made by kittens.
The mew of the kitten indicated its hunger.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023
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Meow

The characteristic vocalization of a cat.
The cat’s meow echoed through the empty house, signaling its hunger.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

A cage for hawks, especially when molting.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

A cat’s method of drawing attention or expressing various states.
The incessant meow of the feline made the owner check its food bowl.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

A secret place; a hideaway.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

The most universally known sound produced by cats.
The cat’s meow could be distinctly heard in the serene neighborhood.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

A group of buildings originally containing private stables, often converted into residential apartments.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023
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Meow

The cry of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A small street, alley, or courtyard on which such buildings stand.
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Mar 11, 2023

Meow

(Informal) A malicious, spiteful comment.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A high-pitching crying sound, especially that of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

To make the crying sound of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A migratory gull (Larus canus) that breeds in northern Eurasia and northwest North America.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

The cry of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To confine in or as if in a cage.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

Said in reply to a spiteful or catty comment.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To molt. Used of a hawk.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

Said to denote seductiveness, mimicking a growl.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To make a high-pitched, crying sound, as that of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

The cry of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A gull, seagull.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

The drug mephedrone.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(obsolete) A prison, or other place of confinement.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

(intransitive) Of a cat, to make its cry.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(obsolete) A hiding place; a secret store or den.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

See 6th and 7th Mew.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(obsolete) A breeding-cage for birds.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

The sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(falconry) A cage for hawks, especially while moulting.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

Cry like a cat;
The cat meowed
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A building or set of buildings where moulting birds are kept.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Meow

A recognizable cat vocalization, drawn out and variable in pitch.
Every morning, the cat would meow loudly to wake up the household.
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

The crying sound of a cat; a meow, especially of a kitten.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

The crying sound of a gull or buzzard.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(obsolete) An exclamation of disapproval; a boo.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(archaic) To shut away, confine, lock up.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(of a bird) To moult.
The hawk mewed his feathers.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To cause to moult.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To shed antlers.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To meow.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(of a gull or buzzard) To make its cry.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To flatten the tongue against the roof of the mouth for supposed health benefits.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A cat's (especially a kitten's) cry.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A gull's or buzzard's cry.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

(archaic) An exclamation of disapproval; boo.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A gull, esp. the common British species (Larus canus); called also sea mew, maa, mar, mow, and cobb.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A cage for hawks while mewing; a coop for fattening fowls; hence, any inclosure; a place of confinement or shelter; - in the latter sense usually in the plural.
Full many a fat partrich had he in mewe.
Forthcoming from her darksome mew.
Violets in their secret mews.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A stable or range of stables for horses; - compound used in the plural, and so called from the royal stables in London, built on the site of the king's mews for hawks.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

The common cry of a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To shed or cast; to change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his feathers.
Nine times the moon had mewed her horns.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To cast the feathers; to molt; hence, to change; to put on a new appearance.
Now everything doth mew,And shifts his rustic winter robe.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To shut up; to inclose; to confine, as in a cage or other inclosure.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed.
Close mewed in their sedans, for fear of air.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

To cry as a cat.
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

The sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

The common gull of Eurasia and northeastern North America
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

Cry like a cat;
The cat meowed
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

Utter a high-pitched cry, as of seagulls
Sawaira Riaz
Mar 11, 2023

Mew

A high-pitched, soft cry made by a cat.
The tiny kitten let out a soft mew, seeking attention.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

A sound resembling the high-pitched cry of a kitten.
The small bird emitted a mew as it called its mates.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Mew

A quiet, subtle vocalization primarily associated with smaller cats.
The cat’s mew could barely be heard over the rainfall.
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2023

FAQs

Are "Mew" and "Meow" interchangeable?

No, "Mew" is a softer, high-pitched sound, typically from kittens; "Meow" is a more varied vocalization from cats of all ages.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Can "Meow" represent different emotions of a cat?

Yes, "Meow" can represent a wide range of cat emotions and desires.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Is "Mew" considered softer than "Meow"?

Typically, yes. "Mew" is usually softer and higher-pitched than "Meow".
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2023

Is "Mew" usually associated with kittens?

Yes, "Mew" is often associated with the soft cries of kittens.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Can "Meow" be drawn out and varied in length?

Yes, "Meow" can be more drawn out and varied in length and pitch.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Does "Mew" signify vulnerability?

Often, yes. "Mew" is often a signal of vulnerability or a need for care.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023

Can "Meow" be assertive?

Yes, "Meow" can be more assertive and variable in sound.
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2023

Is "Meow" more universally recognized than "Mew"?

Yes, "Meow" is more universally recognized and represents a broader range of cat vocalizations.
Samantha Walker
Sep 27, 2023

Does "Mew" primarily occur in certain situations?

Yes, "Mew" is usually associated with situations illustrating innocence and vulnerability, like kittens seeking attention.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Is "Meow" versatile in its depiction in media?

Yes, "Meow" is versatile and widely used to depict a variety of cat sounds in media.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 27, 2023

Is "Mew" specific to high-pitched cries?

Yes, "Mew" is more specific and often denotes high-pitched, soft cries.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023

Can "Mew" be used to illustrate soft communication in media?

Yes, "Mew" is often depicted in media to portray a cat’s gentle and subtle communication.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Does "Mew" typically emanate from smaller cats?

Yes, "Mew" is often associated with the sounds made by smaller cats or kittens.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Is "Meow" a general representation of cat sounds?

Yes, "Meow" serves as a general representation for any vocalization made by cats.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 27, 2023

Does "Meow" reflect a cat’s varied intentions or states?

Yes, "Meow" reflects a wide range of a cat’s intentions, emotions, or states.
Harlon Moss
Sep 27, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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