tomcat

[ tom-kat ]

noun

1. a male cat.
2. Slang. a woman-chaser.

verb (used without object)

, tom·cat·ted, tom·cat·ting.

1. Slang. (of a man) to pursue women in order to make sexual conquests (often followed by around ):

   He tomcatted around before settling down.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tomcat¹

1750–60; Tom + cat ( def )

Example Sentences

The curious calico and her orange tomcat friend, Monu, had recently been sterilized and returned to the market.

From Salon

He had traveled out with his wife and mother-in-law from the town of Vasylivka, just across the front line, with a few belongings in plastic bags and their ginger tomcat in a pet basket.

From New York Times

All the same, though there’s no reinvention of the genre here, Louder’s mesmerizing mouse proves more than a match for the assembled tomcats — all exuding machismo — with whom she must deal.

From Washington Post

I stood tableside for a few minutes, in my apron, while he sat, napkin tucked under his chin and Prune vinaigrette still slick on his lips, purring like a drowsy tomcat.

From New York Times

The Cats Protection charity said the family in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, was also being watched over by a tomcat, which was "very unusual".

From BBC

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty