leopard

noun

LEP-urd/ˈlɛpɚd/UKLEP-uhd/ˈlɛpəd/

6 meanings of leopard

1
nouncountable
A large wild cat with a spotted coat, found in parts of Africa and Asia.
Like a house cat, but much bigger and covered in dark spots.
A leopard dragged its kill high into the branches of an acacia tree.
We watched two leopards resting in the shade of a rocky ledge.
Similarpanther
Note
2
nouncountable
A large, pale gray wild cat with dark spots that lives in the high mountains of Asia.
Like a big cat wearing a thick winter coat for life in the freezing mountains.
Up in the snowy peaks, a leopard padded silently between the icy rocks.
The leopard's thick pale fur helps it hide among the cold mountain stones.
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3
nouncountable
A medium-sized wild cat with cloud-shaped markings, living in the forests of Asia.
Like a cat with soft cloud shapes painted across its fur.
Deep in the rainforest, a leopard climbed headfirst down a tall tree trunk.
The forest leopard's large cloudy blotches help it blend into the shady leaves.
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4
nouncountable
Any of several large wild cats that look like the spotted one and borrow its name.
Like giving several look-alike animals the same nickname.
Early explorers called almost any large spotted cat a leopard.
Several unrelated wild cats were grouped together as leopards because their coats looked alike.
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5
nouncountable
A small orange butterfly with black markings on its wings.
Like a tiny orange flag dotted with black spots.
A leopard fluttered between the flowers, its orange wings flashing in the sun.
We spotted several leopards feeding on the bright garden blossoms.
6
nouncountable
On a coat of arms, a lion shown walking with its face turned toward you.
Like a lion in a picture, frozen mid-step and staring right at you.
The shield showed a golden leopard walking across a red background.
Three leopards march one above another on the old royal banner.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Late Latin leopardus, from Greek leópardos, which joins the Greek words for 'lion' and 'pard' (male leopard).