A kitten is a young cat, typically from birth until about one year old. When cats have babies, those tiny, mewing creatures with closed eyes and wobbly legs are kittens. After a few weeks, their eyes open, they start exploring, and they become some of the most playful animals you'll ever meet.

Kittens are famous for their energy and curiosity. They pounce on anything that moves: a piece of string, a rolling ball, even their own tail. This isn't just cute; it's practice. In the wild, kittens learn hunting skills by stalking, chasing, and pouncing during play. A kitten batting at a feather toy is rehearsing the same moves a wild cat would use to catch prey.

People often use kitten affectionately to describe anything small and adorable, even beyond cats. You might hear someone call a gentle, sweet person a kitten, though this usage is less common than simply referring to young cats.

The word kitten almost always means exactly what it sounds like: a young cat that will grow into an adult cat.