catcall

catcall — noun

IPA/ˈkætkɔːl/
KK[kˈætkˌɔl]IPA/ˈkætkɔːl/
  • catcallsingular
  • catcallsplural

1. a noisy shout or sharp whistle that a crowd makes to show strong dislike of a pe

1.nounB2
Definition

a noisy shout or sharp whistle that a crowd makes to show strong dislike of a performance, speech, or decision

Example

The politician's speech was met with loud catcalls from the back of the hall.

collocation: met with catcalls

A chorus of catcalls erupted when the referee gave the penalty.

Common collocations
  • loud catcalls
  • chorus of catcalls
  • jeers and catcalls
  • boos and catcalls
  • met with catcalls
  • drew catcalls
  • erupted in catcalls
Synonyms
  • jeer

    a mocking shout; broader and can target anyone for any reason, not only performers

  • boo

    specifically the drawn-out "boo" sound; less about mockery and more about showing dislike

  • heckle

    interrupting a speaker with questions or insults; implies a back-and-forth exchange

Antonyms
  • cheer

    a shout of encouragement or approval, the opposite of a catcall

  • applause

    clapping to show approval rather than shouting disapproval

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about public disapproval of a performance or speaker, with no sexual element. Typical contexts are sports matches, political speeches, and theatre.

2. a rude, sexually suggestive shout or whistle directed at someone in a public pla

2.nounB2
Definition

a rude, sexually suggestive shout or whistle directed at someone in a public place, usually by a stranger and without the person's consent

Example

Tanya ignored the catcalls and kept walking toward the bus stop.

A construction worker shouted a catcall as Mei-Lin passed the building site.

collocation: shouted a catcall

Common collocations
  • shout a catcall
  • direct catcalls at
  • make catcalls
  • ignore catcalls
  • street catcalls
Synonyms
  • wolf whistle

    specifically the two-note rising-and-falling whistle; a type of catcall, not a general term

  • leer

    an unpleasant staring look, not a sound; often accompanies a catcall but is a different action

Antonyms
  • compliment

    a polite expression of praise, given respectfully rather than shouted as harassment

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense always involves a sexual or suggestive element and typically targets a stranger in a public space. Sense 1 is about crowd disapproval of a performance.

Common Mistakes

The audience made catcalls at the actress because they liked her dress.
The audience cheered for the actress because they liked her dress.
catcalls in the street-harassment sense express unwanted sexual attention, not admiration.

catcall — verb

IPA/ˈkæt.kɔːl/
KK[kˈætkˌɔl]IPA/ˈkæt.kɑːl/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Catcall, jeer, boo, heckle, and taunt all describe hostile audience reactions, but they differ in form and intensity. A catcall is specifically a loud shout or whistle — the sound is its defining feature, and it is most associated with crowds at sports events or political speeches. A jeer is a mocking shout, more about the insulting content than the volume; you can jeer at someone in a small group. A boo is the simplest of the group: just the drawn-out vowel sound, used to show dislike without words. Heckling is different in kind — it involves interrupting a speaker with pointed questions or insults, creating a back-and-forth. A taunt, finally, is a remark designed to wound or provoke, and it can happen anywhere, not just in a performance setting. Example contrasts: "The crowd greeted the unpopular decision with catcalls and jeers" (sound-focused). "A lone audience member stood up to heckle the comedian" (interactive).

jeer ↗booheckle ↗taunt ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • shouts and catcalls
  • whistles and catcalls

Etymology

English

Formed from "cat" and "call" in the mid-18th century. The word compares the harsh, screeching noise of an unhappy audience to the yowling sounds cats make, especially during mating fights. Originally used in theatres and public meetings, the sexual-harassment sense developed later as the term broadened to any loud, unwanted public shout.

First known use

1749

first used to describe audience noises in theatres