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Purred vs Howled - What's the difference?

purred | howled |

As verbs the difference between purred and howled

is that purred is (purr) while howled is (howl).

purred

English

Verb

(head)
  • (purr)

    • purr

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • Of a cat, to make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented.
  • To say (something) in a throaty, seductive manner.
  • * 2008 , C. E. Osborne, Black Gold Death in the Sun (page 12)
    • "This is Cindy," she purred again, flashing a smile of perfect white teeth surrounded by full red lips.
  • To make a vibrating throaty sound, as from pleasure.
  • (of an engine) To make a low and consistent rumbling sound.
  • * 2001 , E. C. Craver, Last Reunion (page 159)
    • Beverly passed the city limits sign with the Porsche's motor purring contentedly after its two hundred and fifty-mile romp.

    Derived terms

    * purrer * purr like a kitten

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The vibrating sound made by a cat in its throat when contented.
  • * 1918 , Sarath Kumar Ghosh, The wonders of the jungle - Volume 2 (page 113)
    • Instead, the tiger looked around, and gave a purr , and then a growl. What did that mean? The man could not tell. Then the tiger just flung upon the man some of the sand from the side of the hollow.
  • A throaty, seductive sound of pleasure made by a person.
  • * 2006 , Brenda Williamson, Wolverton Blood (page 53)
    • The trill of her purr echoed inside his mouth when he kissed her again. Clutching at his shirt, her fingers traveled the muscles in his back.
  • The low consistent rumble made by an engine at slow speed
  • * 1997 , Susan Wood, A Fly in Amber (page 191)
    • I sat still in the car and listened to the soft purr of the engine and my beating heart. Then slowly, and as silently as possible, I drove the car back to camp.

    Derived terms

    * purrlike

    See also

    * meow English onomatopoeias

    howled

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (howl)

    • howl

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The protracted, mournful cry of a dog or a wolf, or other like sound.
  • A prolonged cry of distress or anguish; a wail.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter a loud, protracted, mournful sound or cry, as dogs and wolves often do.
  • * Drayton
    • And dogs in corners set them down to howl .
  • * Shakespeare
    • Methought a legion of foul fiends / Environ'd me about, and howled in my ears.
  • To utter a sound expressive of pain or distress; to cry aloud and mournfully; to lament; to wail.
  • * Bible, Isaiah xiii. 6
    • Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is at hand.
  • To make a noise resembling the cry of a wild beast.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
    • Wild howled the wind.
  • To utter with outcry.
    • to howl derision