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# pussycat

noun (a pussycat, pussycats) — informal

«pussycat» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal, children's) A cat, especially a friendly pet cat: «Here, pussycat!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#m1)
2. (informal) A gentle, kind person who seems tough but is soft and easy to like: «He looks scary but he's a pussycat really.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#m2)

### In the lessons

In nursery rhymes and children's stories it is a cosy word for a cat: «The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea» (Edward Lear) and «Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?» In everyday talk it describes someone softer than they look. Phrases: «a big pussycat», «pussycat, pussycat».

### Examples

- The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea-green boat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#x1)
- «Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been?» «I've been to London to visit the Queen.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#x2)
- Our pussycat sleeps on the radiator. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#x3)
- The big rugby player is a total pussycat with his little sister. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#x4)
- The baby pointed and said «pussycat!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#x5)
- The guard dog turned out to be a pussycat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/#x6)

### Note

Countable: pussycat, pussycats; also «pussy-cat» or «puss». It is a babyish or cosy word; in school writing use «cat». Short form «puss» is fine (Puss in Boots), but the short form «pussy» also has a rude adult meaning, so say «pussycat», «puss» or «cat».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «pussycat» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pussycat/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«pussycat» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/pussycat.html) on Mova free.