How to pronounce catcall
Say it like KAT-kawl. Catcall has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce catcall. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAT
- kawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Catcall pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kawlKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of catcall
American and British speakers say catcall in essentially the same way: /ˈkætkɔl/ in the US and /ˈkætkɔːl/ in the UK.
British respelling: KAT-kawl.
What does catcall mean?
- A shout or whistle expressing dislike, especially from a crowd or audience; a jeer, a boo.
- A shout, whistle, or comment of a harassingly sexual nature, usually made toward a passing woman, causing distress and trauma.
- In the Eiffel programming language, a run-time error caused by use of the wrong data type.
- To make such an exclamation.
Where does catcall come from?
First attested in the mid-17th c., from the resemblance to cats' nocturnal cries.
Questions about saying catcall
How do you pronounce catcall?
Say KAT-kawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈkætkɔl/. In British English it is /ˈkætkɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in catcall?
Catcall has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAT). Broken into parts: KAT · kawl.
Do Americans and Brits say catcall the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈkætkɔl/ and the British form is /ˈkætkɔːl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.