rhizoverbBeta
DictionarytabbyStriped or mottled cat
noun / adjective

tabby

TAB-ee/ˈtæbi/

A domestic cat with striped or mottled fur, or its coat pattern.

The brown tabby has dark stripes and a ringed tail.

A single short-haired brown tabby cat standing in three-quarter side view, with clearly visible dark stripes across its flanks and legs, a ringed tail, and the characteristic forehead marking.
Etymology
tabbyFrenchwatered or striped silk

Tabis named patterned silk; a cat whose coat resembled that fabric was called a tabby cat. The fabric name then became a name for the cat itself.

In context

Mewnoro Cats0:14
The suspect, a striped orange tabby named Oliver.
Exclusive Interview: Local tabby explains the strategic benefits of 3am zoomies | Mewnoro Cats

More examples

  • The shelter has two brown tabbies with dark stripes.
  • Her tabby kitten has an M-shaped marking on its forehead.
  • A tabby coat can have spots as well as stripes.

Forms

tabby · tabbies

Similar words

striped
Describes lines of color, not a particular cat pattern.
mottled
Describes irregular patches of color rather than distinct stripes.