Mew vs. Meow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Mew is a soft, high-pitched sound made by cats, while Meow is a more common vocalization of cats, often louder and more varied in tone.
Difference Between Mew and Meow
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mew and Meow both represent sounds made by cats. These words are onomatopoeic, meaning they phonetically imitate the actual sound they describe.
A Mew is typically a softer, high-pitched noise, often made by kittens or cats when they are in distress, anxious, or seeking attention in a subtle manner. In contrast, Meow is a more general term that encompasses a range of vocalizations, from plaintive cries to demanding calls.
The term Mew is often associated with a more delicate or gentle communication, potentially signaling vulnerability. On the other hand, a Meow can be assertive, inquisitive, or even commanding, reflecting a cat's varied means of communication with humans and other animals.
It's worth noting that both Mew and Meow are used in various cultural contexts to describe cat sounds, but their interpretation might differ based on a cat's age, breed, or individual personality.
To the untrained ear, Mew and Meow might seem similar. Yet, for cat enthusiasts and experts, these sounds can provide crucial insights into a cat's emotions, needs, and overall well-being.
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Comparison Chart
Sound Intensity
Soft and high-pitched
Varied, can be louder
Commonly Associated With
Kittens, gentle communication
General cat vocalization
Reflects
Vulnerability, subtlety
A range of emotions and demands
Usage in Literature/Media
Often to depict young or timid cats
Used more broadly for cat vocalizations
Cultural Interpretation
Seen as a more delicate sound
Recognized as a cat's primary call
Compare with Definitions
Mew
The vocalization of a young cat.
Newborn kittens mew for their mother's attention.
Meow
The characteristic sound of a cat.
Every morning, my cat greets me with a loud meow.
Mew
The sound a cat makes when seeking gentle attention.
Whenever she's lonely, she gives a tiny mew to get my attention.
Meow
The audible expression of a cat's needs or desires.
When his food bowl is empty, he'll meow insistently.
Mew
A cage for hawks, especially when molting.
Meow
An onomatopoeic word representing a cat's call.
Children often imitate a cat by saying meow when playing.
Mew
A secret place; a hideaway.
Meow
A vocalization used by cats to communicate various emotions.
By the tone of the meow, I could tell she was hungry.
Mew
A group of buildings originally containing private stables, often converted into residential apartments.
Meow
A meow is a vocalization of cats. They might have diverse tones and are sometimes chattered, murmured or whispered.
Mew
A small street, alley, or courtyard on which such buildings stand.
Meow
The cry of a cat.
Mew
A high-pitching crying sound, especially that of a cat.
Meow
(Informal) A malicious, spiteful comment.
Mew
A migratory gull (Larus canus) that breeds in northern Eurasia and northwest North America.
Meow
To make the crying sound of a cat.
Mew
To confine in or as if in a cage.
Meow
The cry of a cat.
Mew
To molt. Used of a hawk.
Meow
Said in reply to a spiteful or catty comment.
Mew
To make a high-pitched, crying sound, as that of a cat.
Meow
Said to denote seductiveness, mimicking a growl.
Mew
A gull, seagull.
Meow
The cry of a cat.
Mew
(obsolete) A prison, or other place of confinement.
Meow
The drug mephedrone.
Mew
(obsolete) A hiding place; a secret store or den.
Meow
(intransitive) Of a cat, to make its cry.
Mew
(obsolete) A breeding-cage for birds.
Meow
See 6th and 7th Mew.
Mew
(falconry) A cage for hawks, especially while moulting.
Meow
The sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
Mew
A building or set of buildings where moulting birds are kept.
Meow
Cry like a cat;
The cat meowed
Mew
The crying sound of a cat; a meow, especially of a kitten.
Meow
The sound made by cats to interact with humans or other animals.
She meowed at the door, signaling she wanted to go out.
Mew
The crying sound of a gull or buzzard.
Mew
(obsolete) An exclamation of disapproval; a boo.
Mew
(archaic) To shut away, confine, lock up.
Mew
(of a bird) To moult.
The hawk mewed his feathers.
Mew
To cause to moult.
Mew
To shed antlers.
Mew
To meow.
Mew
(of a gull or buzzard) To make its cry.
Mew
To flatten the tongue against the roof of the mouth for supposed health benefits.
Mew
A cat's (especially a kitten's) cry.
Mew
A gull's or buzzard's cry.
Mew
(archaic) An exclamation of disapproval; boo.
Mew
A gull, esp. the common British species (Larus canus); called also sea mew, maa, mar, mow, and cobb.
Mew
A cage for hawks while mewing; a coop for fattening fowls; hence, any inclosure; a place of confinement or shelter; - in the latter sense usually in the plural.
Full many a fat partrich had he in mewe.
Forthcoming from her darksome mew.
Violets in their secret mews.
Mew
A stable or range of stables for horses; - compound used in the plural, and so called from the royal stables in London, built on the site of the king's mews for hawks.
Mew
The common cry of a cat.
Mew
To shed or cast; to change; to molt; as, the hawk mewed his feathers.
Nine times the moon had mewed her horns.
Mew
To cast the feathers; to molt; hence, to change; to put on a new appearance.
Now everything doth mew,And shifts his rustic winter robe.
Mew
To shut up; to inclose; to confine, as in a cage or other inclosure.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed.
Close mewed in their sedans, for fear of air.
Mew
To cry as a cat.
Mew
The sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)
Mew
The common gull of Eurasia and northeastern North America
Mew
Cry like a cat;
The cat meowed
Mew
Utter a high-pitched cry, as of seagulls
Mew
A soft, high-pitched cat sound.
The kitten let out a faint mew when it got scared.
Mew
An expression of subtle distress or unease by a cat.
I heard a mew from the other room and found the cat stuck behind the sofa.
Mew
A muted call of a feline.
Her cat's mew was so soft, it was almost a whisper.
Common Curiosities
What is a Mew?
Mew is a soft, high-pitched sound typically made by cats, especially kittens.
Can humans distinguish between a Mew and a Meow?
Yes, especially cat enthusiasts or experts who notice the subtle differences in tone and intensity.
How does a Meow differ from a Mew?
A Meow is a more varied and often louder cat vocalization, while a Mew is softer and higher-pitched.
Can the context change the meaning of a Meow?
Absolutely, a Meow can mean hunger, curiosity, affection, or even displeasure based on the situation.
Is Meow universal for all cat vocalizations?
While Meow is a common term for cat sounds, cats have a range of vocalizations, including purrs, chirps, and hisses.
Is there any way to understand a cat's specific needs from its Mew or Meow?
With time and observation, many cat owners can discern their cat's specific needs or emotions based on the tone, frequency, and context of the sound.
Is Mew specifically a kitten sound?
While kittens commonly mew, adult cats can also produce this sound, especially when expressing vulnerability.
Can a Mew indicate a health issue in cats?
A sudden increase in Mewing or a change in the sound can indicate discomfort or health issues and might warrant a vet visit.
Do all cats Meow the same way?
No, Meows can vary based on the cat's breed, age, personality, and specific needs or emotions at the time.
Are these terms used in other languages too?
The concept exists universally, but the onomatopoeic representation might differ based on the language.
Why would a cat Mew instead of Meow?
A Mew is often a more subtle communication, possibly indicating distress, unease, or a gentle call for attention.
Do other animals Mew or Meow?
While these terms are specifically associated with cats, some animals might produce similar sounds, but it's not commonly referred to as Mewing or Meowing.
Do cats Meow more at humans than at other cats?
Yes, studies suggest cats Meow more as a form of communication with humans than with other cats.
Are there breeds of cats known to Mew or Meow more?
Some breeds, like Siamese cats, are known to be more vocal and may Meow more frequently.
How have Mew and Meow become part of popular culture?
These terms are often used in literature, movies, and music to depict or emphasize feline characteristics, behaviors, or sounds.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
