What does miaul mean?
Miaul means to make a loud, sustained cry resembling the sound of a cat, and it can also name that cry. The verb is most often used when describing a cat demanding attention, food, or access to a room, though it may figuratively describe a person crying or complaining theatrically. Its association with cats makes it vivid and slightly humorous, while the figurative use can suggest excessive distress, grievance, or performance. In British English, miaul is sometimes used loosely for any loud cry, but its characteristic sound is a high, wailing cry resembling a feline howl. The word is less common in general American usage than the everyday terms meow and mew. As a noun, a miaul is the individual cry produced by a cat or, figuratively, by a loudly vocal person.
To make a prolonged, loud cry resembling the sound of a cat; figuratively, to cry or complain loudly.
"The cat miauled at the window until someone opened it."
The literal use is chiefly associated with cats. Figurative use is especially common in British English and often conveys exaggerated distress or complaint.
A prolonged, loud cry resembling the sound of a cat.
"A mournful miaul came from the alley."
Often used in the expression a miaul, and chiefly British in general usage.
The usual plural of the noun, though the word is relatively uncommon in modern English.
"The shelter heard miauls from the shelter during the night."
A cat's everyday meow can become a full-throated miaul: the word captures that theatrical, yowling complaint.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does miaul come from?
The English verb entered through the French word miauler, meaning to mew or cry like a cat, and is largely imitative in origin. Related forms in several European languages describe similar feline cries, including French miauler, Spanish maullar, Italian miagolare, and German miauen. The English noun developed from the verb and refers to a cry resembling a cat's.
Related word forms
How miaul is actually used
As a verb, miaul is most naturally associated with a cat's cry but can also describe a person crying loudly. The figurative use is chiefly British and is often humorous or exaggerated. As a noun, it denotes the cry itself.
Easily confused with miaul
Miaul describes a sustained, wailing cry, especially that of a cat, whereas meow is the more general word for a cat's characteristic vocalization.
Mew can refer to a cat's cry but is also used figuratively for a subdued cry, while miaul usually suggests a loud or prolonged vocalization.