kitty

kitty — noun

1. money collected from everyone in a group, kept together to pay for something the

1.nounB1
Definition

money collected from everyone in a group, kept together to pay for something they all want or need

Example

The four roommates each put NT$500 into the kitty to buy a new microwave.

put money into the kitty

The office kitty had grown enough by December to pay for the year-end dinner.

office kitty — workplace shared fund

Common collocations
  • put money into the kitty
  • add to the kitty
  • office kitty
  • travel kitty
  • manage the kitty
  • be in charge of the kitty
Synonyms
  • pool

    more neutral, less affectionate; 'a car pool'

  • fund

    more formal; used for larger or official sums of money

  • pot

    gambling-specific; used for bets in poker or card games

Usage Note

Often used with verbs like put, add, contribute, or manage. The kitty is typically cash held by one trusted member of the group, not a bank account.

Common Mistakes

We each put $10 into the kit to buy pizza.
We each put $10 into the kitty to buy pizza.
A 'kit' is a set of tools or equipment; 'kitty' is the shared fund.

2. an informal word for a cat, especially one that you feel fond of or want to call

2.nounA2
Definition

an informal word for a cat, especially one that you feel fond of or want to call gently

Example

Nora knelt down and called softly, 'Here, kitty, kitty!' and a small grey cat crept out from under the car.

calling a cat: 'Here, kitty, kitty!'

Charlotte's white kitty likes to lie on the windowsill every morning and watch the birds.

possessive: someone's kitty

Common collocations
  • little kitty
  • here kitty kitty
  • someone's kitty
  • feed the kitty
Synonyms
  • cat

    the neutral, everyday word; suitable for all contexts

  • kitten

    specifically a young cat, usually under one year old

  • feline

    formal or scientific; used in biology or medicine

Usage Note

Use 'kitty' when talking to or about a cat in a friendly, warm way. Avoid it in formal writing or in serious contexts such as veterinary reports, where 'cat' is the correct word.

Common Mistakes

The vet examined the kitty and gave it a shot.' (in a formal report)
The vet examined the cat and gave it a shot.
Use 'cat' for formal or professional contexts.

Word family

  • cat
    nounA1
  • kitten
    nounA1
  • kitty-corner
    adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

The main difference is register and age. 'Kitty' is an informal, affectionate term — you use it when speaking to a cat or about a pet you are fond of. 'Cat' is the neutral everyday word that works in all situations, from a children's story to a veterinary report. 'Kitten' refers specifically to a very young cat (under about one year old), while 'kitty' can be any age. 'Feline' is formal or scientific — a vet might talk about 'feline health,' but you would not call to your pet 'Here, feline!' For everyday conversation, use 'cat' or, when feeling warm toward the animal, 'kitty.' For example: 'I saw a stray cat in the park' (neutral) vs. 'A little kitty followed me home — can we keep her?' (affectionate).

kitty ↗cat ↗kittenfeline

Common collocations

Nouns

  • office kitty
  • travel kitty
  • house kitty
  • birthday kitty

Phrases

  • be in charge of the kitty
  • put money into the kitty

Prepositions

  • into the kitty
  • in the kitty
  • out of the kitty

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Kitty' comes from the old word 'kit' (a young cat) with the '-y' ending that makes it sound smaller or more lovable. The money-pool meaning appeared in the 1800s, possibly from poker games where players put coins into a shared pot — as if feeding a 'kitty.' The two uses are now completely separate: one is about a group fund, the other about a pet.