What does caterwauler mean?
A caterwauler is a person or creature that produces a loud, shrill, and discordant wailing sound, much like the yowling of a cat — especially a cat in heat. The word derives directly from the verb 'to caterwaul', which itself combines an old term for tomcat with a word meaning to wail. Though its literal reference is to animals, particularly amorous or fighting cats, the word is used more often figuratively and humorously to describe human beings who sing badly, complain loudly, or otherwise fill the air with unpleasant noise. A critic might dismiss an unskilled vocalist as a caterwauler, or a sleep-deprived neighbour might grumble about the caterwaulers keeping the street awake at night. Informal and mildly comic in register, the word carries an unmistakably derogatory connotation: no one is ever complimented by being called one. It remains a vivid, expressive choice when ordinary words like 'noisemaker' or 'shrieker' lack the right flavour.
nounA person or animal that caterwauls; someone who makes a loud, shrill, discordant noise such as the wailing cry of a cat in heat.
- A person or animal that utters a shrill, wailing, cat-like howl or screech.
- Figuratively, a singer or performer who sings badly or discordantly.
"The neighbourhood's most persistent caterwauler turned out to be a tomcat prowling the rooftops at midnight."
"Every night the alley behind the restaurant echoed with some unseen caterwauler, feline or otherwise."
"Critics dismissed the opera's new tenor as little more than a caterwauler in formal dress."
Standard plural formation; typically used when referring to multiple noisy people or animals.
"By three in the morning, half the village had been woken by the caterwaulers outside."
The word literally means 'cat-wailer' — it was coined from an old Dutch word for tomcat because nothing on earth sounds quite like cats fighting outside your window at 2 a.m.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of caterwauler
Caterwauler is an agent noun formed from the verb 'caterwaul', which appeared in English in the early seventeenth century. The verb combines 'cater', from Middle Dutch 'cater' meaning tomcat, with 'waul', from Middle Low German 'waulen' meaning to wail or roll about. Together they describe precisely the raucous cries associated with cats seeking mates, and the agent noun simply names whoever — or whatever — makes that noise.
How caterwauler is actually used
Informal and somewhat humorous in tone; often applied figuratively to poor singers or noisy complainers as well as literally to cats.
Easily confused with caterwauler
Caterwaul is the verb (or noun for the sound itself) describing the act of shrieking or wailing, while a caterwauler is the person or creature doing it.