feline

American  

[fee-lahyn] / ˈfi laɪn /

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the cat family, Felidae.

2. catlike; characteristic of animals of the cat family.

   a feline tread.

3. sly, stealthy, or treacherous.

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noun

1. an animal of the cat family.

feline British  

/ fɪˈlɪnɪtɪ, ˈfiːlaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Felidae , a family of predatory mammals, including cats, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, typically having a round head and retractile claws: order Carnivora (carnivores)

2. resembling or suggestive of a cat, esp in stealth or grace

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noun

1. any animal belonging to the family Felidae ; a cat

feline Scientific  

/ fē′līn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling felids.

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Other Word Forms

• felinely adverb
• felineness noun
• felinity noun
• unfeline adjective

Etymology

Origin of feline

1675–85; < Latin fēl ( ēs ) ( Felis ) + -ine ¹; compare Late Latin fēlīneus of a wild cat

Example Sentences

They compared tumor and healthy tissue samples across 13 different types of feline cancer, allowing direct comparisons with cancers in humans and dogs.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

WSJ | Buy Side: The best cat insurance lets you make medical decisions for your feline based on the optimal treatment, not cost.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

The company, founded in 1948, is known for its emblematic sneakers such as the Speedcat and its lunging feline logo, and makes athletic wear, accessories and equipment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The provincial livestock office had earlier said preliminary tests showed the tigers had been infected with feline parvovirus.

From BBC • Feb. 23, 2026

She moved with a feline, predatory grace, and I understood why the lion was her sacred animal: It was all about languid power.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda