leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈle-pərd 

1

a

: a large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usually tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes

called also panther

b

: the fur or pelt of a leopard

2

: a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant

Illustration of leopard

• leopard 1

Examples of leopard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s no better way to rock the leopard trend than with this soft faux shearling collarless jacket. —Taylor Jean Stephan, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Colorful wall murals were filled with everything from an exotic leopard to a cocktail-sipping skeleton. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Jan. 2025

Pops of red and pink, leopard print, and graphic wallpaper were a few ways designers and homeowners dressed up their spaces. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Jan. 2025

So, across India, there's increasing reports of leopards entering houses, elephants feasting on farms and crocodiles attacking people on beaches. —Omkar Khandekar, NPR, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lepart, leupart, from Late Latin leopardus, from Greek leopardos, from leōn lion + pardos leopard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing leopard

• a leopard can't change its spots
• clouded leopard
• leopard cat
• leopard frog
• leopard seal
• snow leopard

Kids Definition

leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈlep-ərd 

: a large strong cat of southern Asia and Africa that has a brownish buff coat with black spots arranged in broken rings

called also panther