tomcat
tomcat Lexical Profile
tomcat Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A male domestic cat, especially one that is uncastrated.
"The neighborhood tomcat could often be heard yowling on the fence at midnight."
A sexually promiscuous or philandering man.
"In his younger years, he had a reputation as a tomcat who never stayed in one relationship for long."
• verb
To act in a sexually promiscuous manner or actively seek casual sexual encounters (usually said of a man).
"Instead of settling down, he spent his weekends tomcatting around the city with his friends."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used to describe a human, the term is highly informal, often slightly pejorative, and applies almost exclusively to men pursuing casual sexual encounters.
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in the mid-18th century. It became common after the publication of the 1760 anonymous book 'The Life and Adventures of a Cat', which featured a protagonist named 'Tom the Cat'. This popularized 'Tom' as the standard term for a male cat, largely replacing older terms like 'ram-cat' and 'boar-cat'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.