hairball

Everyday

1. A ball of hair that forms in the stomach of an animal, especially a cat, after it licks its fur, and is then coughed up. tree →
2. (informal) A tangle of hair, for example in a hairbrush or plughole. tree →

In the lessons

In pet care, cats swallow fur when they wash; brushing them helps prevent hairballs. Vets give advice if a cat has too many. In stories and cartoons, a cat coughing up a hairball is a common funny or gross moment.

Examples

• The cat coughed up a hairball on the rug. tree →
• Brushing your cat helps stop hairballs. tree →
• Long-haired cats get more hairballs. tree →
• Dad pulled a huge hairball out of the shower drain. tree →
• The vet gave us food that reduces hairballs. tree →

Note

One word. Countable. Not dangerous usually, but if a cat cannot bring one up, see a vet.