kitten

American  

[kit-n] / ˈkɪt n /

noun

1. a young cat.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. (of cats) to give birth; bear.

kitten British  

/ ˈkɪtən /

noun

1. a young cat

2. US equivalent: have a cow.  informal to react with disapproval, anxiety, etc

   she had kittens when she got the bill

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verb

1. (of cats) to give birth to (young)

kitten Idioms  

1. see have a fit (kittens); weak as a kitten.

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Other Word Forms

• kitten-like
  adjective
• kittenlike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of kitten

1350–1400; Middle English kitoun, apparently blend of kiteling kitling and Middle French chitoun, variant of chaton kitten

Explanation

A kitten is a baby cat. There is nothing more adorable then a bunch of fuzzy little kittens playing together. While there are a few other animals whose young are called kittens, like beavers, rabbits, and rats, the word most commonly describes a baby cat. Kittens are dependent on their mothers for food and protection until they are around six to eight weeks old, when they're still adorable but also able to eat solid food. Kitten comes from the Middle English kitoun, which is rooted in the Old French chitoun, or "little cat."

Example Sentences

This is not a photo of a kitten saying “Believe in yourself!”

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

When Roo was first adopted by 22-year-old Alana and her partner, both from Cardiff, the little kitten was meant to be an indoor cat.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

Outside The Times’ office, with highway and airplane traffic buzzing by on a cloudless afternoon, Slayyyter walked into our interview in Moschino kitten heels and her now-signature fringe jacket.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

According to Flores and Velasquez, one of the deputies took a liking to a family kitten and offered to take it home with him.

From Salon • Mar. 24, 2026

Unremarkables who saw us together thought I was playing with a kitten.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Related Words

• kitty