Mew vs. Meow: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 7, 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

"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.

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.

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.

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.

Comparison Chart

Sound Characteristics

High-pitched, Soft

Varied pitch, More drawn out

Commonly Associated With

Kittens, Smaller cats

Cats of all ages

Contextual Usage

Illustrates innocence and vulnerability

Represents diverse array of cat vocalizations

Representation in Media

Portrays subtle, gentle communication

Depicts a versatile range of cat sounds

Linguistic Specificity

More specific, denotes soft cries

General, accommodates varied sounds

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.

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.

Mew

The soft, pleading sound made by kittens.

The cat meowed

Mew

A building or set of buildings where moulting birds are kept.

Meow

A recognizable cat vocalization, drawn out and variable in pitch.

Full many a fat partrich had he in mewe.

Forthcoming from her darksome mew.

Violets in their secret mews.

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.

Mew

The common cry of a cat.

Mew

To shed or cast; to change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his feathers.

Nine times the moon had mewed her horns.

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.

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.

Mew

To cry as a cat.

Mew

The sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)

Mew

The common gull of Eurasia and northeastern North America

Mew

Cry like a cat;

The cat meowed

Mew

Utter a high-pitched cry, as of seagulls

Mew

A high-pitched, soft cry made by a cat.

The tiny kitten let out a soft mew, seeking attention.

Mew

A sound resembling the high-pitched cry of a kitten.

The small bird emitted a mew as it called its mates.

Mew

A quiet, subtle vocalization primarily associated with smaller cats.

The cat’s mew could barely be heard over the rainfall.

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.

Can "Meow" represent different emotions of a cat?

Yes, "Meow" can represent a wide range of cat emotions and desires.

Is "Mew" considered softer than "Meow"?

Typically, yes. "Mew" is usually softer and higher-pitched than "Meow".

Is "Mew" usually associated with kittens?

Yes, "Mew" is often associated with the soft cries of kittens.

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

Yes, "Meow" can be more drawn out and varied in length and pitch.

Does "Mew" signify vulnerability?

Often, yes. "Mew" is often a signal of vulnerability or a need for care.

Can "Meow" be assertive?

Yes, "Meow" can be more assertive and variable in sound.

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

Yes, "Meow" is more universally recognized and represents a broader range of cat vocalizations.

Does "Mew" primarily occur in certain situations?

Yes, "Mew" is usually associated with situations illustrating innocence and vulnerability, like kittens seeking attention.

Is "Meow" versatile in its depiction in media?

Yes, "Meow" is versatile and widely used to depict a variety of cat sounds in media.

Is "Mew" specific to high-pitched cries?

Yes, "Mew" is more specific and often denotes high-pitched, soft cries.

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.

Does "Mew" typically emanate from smaller cats?

Yes, "Mew" is often associated with the sounds made by smaller cats or kittens.

Is "Meow" a general representation of cat sounds?

Yes, "Meow" serves as a general representation for any vocalization made by cats.

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

Yes, "Meow" reflects a wide range of a cat’s intentions, emotions, or states.

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About Author

Written by

Janet White

Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Edited by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.