catcalling

IPA/ˈkætˌkɔː.lɪŋ/
IPA/ˈkætˌkɑː.lɪŋ/

catcalling — noun

1. loud shouts or whistles from a group of people who are unhappy with a performanc

1.nounB2
Definition

loud shouts or whistles from a group of people who are unhappy with a performance, a speech, or a decision during a game or other public gathering

Example

The referee's decision sparked a wave of catcalling from the home crowd at the stadium.

catcalling + from [crowd] — typical source pattern

After the politician's speech, catcalling from the audience drowned out the next speaker.

catcalling + from [audience] — source of disapproval

Common collocations
  • draw catcalling
  • spark catcalling
  • catcalling from the crowd
  • loud catcalling
  • a wave of catcalling
Synonyms
  • jeering

    more aggressive and mocking than catcalling; often includes rude comments rather than just whistles

  • booing

    specifically the sound 'boo', usually shorter in duration than a catcalling episode

Antonyms
  • cheering

    shouting to show approval rather than disapproval

  • applause

    clapping to show positive response

Grammar Patterns

catcalling + from + [person/group]

draw + catcalling

Usage Note

This older sense is becoming less common in everyday speech; many modern speakers associate 'catcalling' primarily with street harassment.

Common Mistakes

The crowd showed catcalls at the referee.
The crowd showed their disapproval with catcalling at the referee.
'catcalling' is uncountable; use 'catcalls' only as a countable verb form.

2. when people in public places shout rude comments, make sexual remarks, or whistl

2.nounB1
Definition

when people in public places shout rude comments, make sexual remarks, or whistle at someone who is passing by, usually in a way that makes the person feel uncomfortable or threatened

Example

Sade felt unsafe walking home alone because of persistent catcalling from men on the street.

catcalling + from men on the street — typical setting

Many cities have launched public campaigns to raise awareness about the harm caused by catcalling.

campaigns about catcalling — social awareness context

Common collocations
  • experience catcalling
  • face catcalling
  • suffer catcalling
  • end catcalling
  • catcalling on the street
  • catcalling in public
  • victim of catcalling
  • campaign against catcalling
Synonyms
  • street harassment

    broader term that includes catcalling plus other forms of public harassment (following, touching, etc.)

  • wolf-whistling

    specifically a two-tone whistle, less common today; catcalling includes verbal comments as well

Antonyms
  • respect

    treating others politely in public spaces

Grammar Patterns

experience + catcalling

catcalling + directed at + [person]

Usage Note

This is now the dominant meaning of 'catcalling'. The term is widely used in discussions about public safety and gender-based harassment. It is usually uncountable — use 'catcalling' (not 'a catcalling') to refer to the general phenomenon.

Common Mistakes

She received a catcalling on her way to work.
She experienced catcalling on her way to work.
'catcalling' is uncountable; do not use 'a catcalling'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All three terms describe unwanted public attention, but they differ in scope and register. 'Catcalling' specifically refers to verbal comments and whistles shouted at someone passing by, often of a sexual nature. 'Street harassment' is a broader term that covers catcalling plus other intrusive behaviours such as following, unwanted touching, or blocking someone's path. 'Wolf-whistling' names a particular two-tone whistle sound, which is less common today; catcalling often includes wolf-whistling but also encompasses explicit remarks. In news articles and social media, 'catcalling' is the most frequent term for this phenomenon. Example: 'The city launched a campaign against catcalling after numerous complaints.' 'Street harassment' would be used in a wider policy discussion: 'New laws target all forms of street harassment taking place in public spaces.'

catcalling ↗street harassmentwolf-whistling

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • catcalling on the street
  • catcalling in public
  • subject to catcalling
  • a form of catcalling
  • campaign against catcalling

Prepositions

Etymology

English

The word 'catcalling' comes from the old theatre practice of audiences making hissing or screeching sounds — like a cat's cry — to show disapproval of a poor performance. The noun 'catcall' (a whistle or comment expressing dislike) was first recorded in the 1600s. By the early 1900s, the term was also used for whistles and comments directed at people in public, and by the late 1900s it became strongly associated with street-based sexual harassment.

First known use

1830

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2