kitten
Americannoun
verb (used with or without object)
noun
-
a young cat
-
US equivalent: have a cow. informal to react with disapproval, anxiety, etc
she had kittens when she got the bill
verb
Other Word Forms
- kitten-like adjective
- kittenlike adjective
Etymology
Origin of kitten
1350–1400; Middle English kitoun, apparently blend of kiteling kitling and Middle French chitoun, variant of chaton kitten
Explanation
A kitten is a baby cat. There is nothing more adorable then a bunch of fuzzy little kittens playing together. While there are a few other animals whose young are called kittens, like beavers, rabbits, and rats, the word most commonly describes a baby cat. Kittens are dependent on their mothers for food and protection until they are around six to eight weeks old, when they're still adorable but also able to eat solid food. Kitten comes from the Middle English kitoun, which is rooted in the Old French chitoun, or "little cat."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is not a photo of a kitten saying “Believe in yourself!”
From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026
The couple have three cats, and while new kitten Robin is being harness trained, Ginny is not a fan, so stays at home.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026
Outside The Times’ office, with highway and airplane traffic buzzing by on a cloudless afternoon, Slayyyter walked into our interview in Moschino kitten heels and her now-signature fringe jacket.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
According to Flores and Velasquez, one of the deputies took a liking to a family kitten and offered to take it home with him.
From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026
He slashed back and forth, destroying the demons one after the other while Small Bob the kitten sat on his shoulder, arching his back and hissing.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
