noun

puss

PUUS/pʊs/

An affectionate name for a cat.

The relaxed puss curls on the person's lap and leans into a gentle stroke.

A person affectionately strokes a relaxed cat curled on their lap while the cat leans into the gentle touch.
Etymology

A conventional cat-name or calling sound with parallels in several languages. No single borrowing source is certain.

In context

Library of Congress speaker14:18
So to the Cheshire cat, "Cheshire puss", I began rather timidly
Alice in Wonderland Story Time
iswearenglish teacher4:39
dear puss, dear pussycat
🔵 In Memory of Maggie Poem Lucy Maud Montgomery Summary Analysis In Memory of Maggie Lucy Montgomery

More examples

  • The old puss stretched beside the fire.
  • He scratched the friendly puss behind the ears.
  • A little puss waited at the back door.

Forms

puss · pusses

Similar words

kitty
Kitty is another informal affectionate term for a cat.
cat
Cat is neutral rather than affectionate or playful.