Ailurophile noun

ai·​lu·​ro·​phile

eye-LOOR-uh-fyle

ī-ˈlu̇r-ə-ˌfī(-ə)l

A person who deeply loves, admires, or is a “cat fancier.”

Derived from the Greek words ailouros (cat) and phile (lover), this term describes someone who finds immense joy, comfort, and companionship in feline friends.

Historically, ancient Egyptians were some of the biggest cat lovers, and some famous ailurophiles include Ernest Hemingway, Freddie Mercury, Mark Twain, and Florence Nightingale.