feline
adjective
fe·line ˈfē-ˌlīn 
1
: of, relating to, or affecting cats or the cat family
2
: resembling a cat: such as
a
: sleekly graceful
b
: sly, treacherous
c
: stealthy
feline noun
felinely adverb
felinity
fē-ˈli-nə-tē
noun 
Did you know?
Cats have always provoked a strong reaction from humans. The Egyptians worshipped them, leaving thousands of feline mummies and idols as evidence. In the Middle Ages, felines were feared as agents of the devil, and were thought to creep around silently at night doing evil. (Notice that feline is also a noun.) The fascinating family called the Felidae includes about 40 species of superb hunters, including the lions, tigers, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, bobcats, and lynxes, and almost all of them are smooth, silent, and independent.
Synonyms
- agile
- featly
- graceful
- gracile
- light
- light-footed
- light-foot
- lightsome
- lissome
- lissom
- lithe
- lithesome
- nimble
- spry
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
They move with feline agility. the thief was eerily feline as he moved stealthily through the darkened rooms
Recent Examples on the Web They're designed to provide a safe hideaway for your feline friend without being a total eyesore that takes up precious floor space. 
Carly Kulzer, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 This new documentary gets up close and personal with our furry feline friends. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 Cats get a lot of love on the internet, and even though dogs are considered man’s best friend, many point to their feline companion as their go-to animal. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 28 July 2022 This new documentary gets up close and personal with our furry feline friends. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 This new documentary gets up close and personal with our furry feline friends. Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 Several of our feline friends are known for more than just their slow walk across keyboards and claw marks on furniture. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 That can affect the health of both humans and their feline friends. Sumeet Kulkarni, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2022 Now, some players are modifying the game to add their own feline friends to its post-apocalyptic world. Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 See More
Carly Kulzer, Peoplemag, 12 Aug. 2022 This new documentary gets up close and personal with our furry feline friends. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 Cats get a lot of love on the internet, and even though dogs are considered man’s best friend, many point to their feline companion as their go-to animal. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 28 July 2022 This new documentary gets up close and personal with our furry feline friends. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 14 Aug. 2022 This new documentary gets up close and personal with our furry feline friends. Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2022 Several of our feline friends are known for more than just their slow walk across keyboards and claw marks on furniture. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2022 That can affect the health of both humans and their feline friends. Sumeet Kulkarni, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2022 Now, some players are modifying the game to add their own feline friends to its post-apocalyptic world. Jonathan Lee, Washington Post, 24 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin felinus, from felis
First Known Use
1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing feline
Kids Definition
feline 1 of 2
adjective
fe·line ˈfē-ˌlīn
1
: of or relating to the domestic cat or a related animal (as a lion)
feline anatomy
2
: like or like that of a cat
feline movements
feline
2 of 2noun
: cat
Medical Definition
feline
adjective
fe·line ˈfē-ˌlīn
: of, relating to, or affecting cats or the family Felidae
felines
noun
as in cats
a small domestic animal known for catching mice the commercial claims that the product will please the palate of even the most finicky feline Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cats
- kitties
- kittens
- pussycats
- moggies
- pussies
- pusses
- house cats
- kits
- mousers
- tabbies
- tomcats
- alley cats
- gibs
