Catty Meaning in English
word
ˈkæti
KAT-ee
kˈæti
KAT-ee
Definition
Describes a remark or behavior that is cruel, sly, or meant to hurt others emotionally, often in a subtle or clever way.
Usage & Nuances
Usually describes sharp, hurtful comments between women but can apply more broadly. More common in informal situations. Often used with 'remarks' or 'comments', as in 'catty remark'. Less direct than 'mean'; implies slyness or backhandedness.
Spanish: malicioso - mordaz (comentario)Portuguese (BR): maldoso - venenoso (comentário)Portuguese (PT): maldoso - venenoso (comentário)Chinese (Simplified): 挖苦的 - 刻薄的Chinese (Traditional): 挖苦的 - 刻薄的Hindi: कटीली (टिप्पणी) - तंज़दारArabic: لاذع (تعليق) - حقودBengali: ঠাট্টাপূর্ণ - বিদ্রূপপূর্ণ - কটাক্ষপূর্ণRussian: язвительный - колкий - едкийJapanese: 意地悪な - 嫌味なVietnamese: chua cay - móc mỉa - cạnh khoéKorean: 신랄한 - 빈정거리는 - 냉소적인Turkish: iğneleyici - alaycı - dokunaklıUrdu: طنزیہ - کاٹ دارIndonesian: châm biếm - mỉa mai - cạnh khóe
Example Sentences
She made a catty comment about her coworker's new dress.
basic
People can be catty online behind a screen.
basic
Don't be catty; let's all be nice to each other.
basic
Why do you always get so catty when we're with her?
natural
That was a pretty catty thing to say, even as a joke.
natural
She smiled sweetly, but her response was definitely catty.
natural