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kitty

1
[ kit-ee ]
/ ˈkɪt i /
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noun, plural kit·ties.
a kitten.
a pet name for a cat.
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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of kitty

1
First recorded in 1710–20; kitt(en) + -y2

Other definitions for kitty (2 of 3)

kitty2
[ kit-ee ]
/ ˈkɪt i /

noun, plural kit·ties.
a pool or reserve of money, often collected from a number of persons or sources and designated for a particular purpose specified by the contributors.
Cards.
  1. a pool into which players in a game put a certain amount of their winnings for some special purpose, as to pay for refreshments.
  2. the pot, or a special pot, for the collection of forfeits or payments for certain high hands.
  3. widow (def. 2).

Origin of kitty

2
First recorded in 1815–25; kit1 + -y2

Other definitions for kitty (3 of 3)

Kitty
[ kit-ee ]
/ ˈkɪt i /

noun
a female given name, form of Katherine or Catherine.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use kitty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for kitty (1 of 2)

kitty1
/ (ˈkɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties
a diminutive or affectionate name for a kitten, cat 1

Word Origin for kitty

C18: see kit ³

British Dictionary definitions for kitty (2 of 2)

kitty2
/ (ˈkɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties
the pool of bets in certain gambling games
any shared fund of money, etc
(in bowls) the jack

Word Origin for kitty

C19: see kit 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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