lynx

noun

ˈliŋ(k)s 

plural lynx or lynxes

1

: any of several wildcats (genus Lynx) with relatively long legs, a short stubby tail, mottled coat, and usually tufted ears: such as

a

: a lynx (L. lynx) of northern Europe and Asia

b

: bobcat

c

: a North American lynx (L. canadensis) distinguished from the bobcat by its larger size, longer tufted ears, and wholly black tail tip

called also Canadian lynx

2

Lynx astronomy : a dim northern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Ursa Major and Gemini and that is represented by the figure of a lynx

… Johannes Hevelius named this new constellation Lynx because only an observer with "the eyes of a lynx" could see its faint shape.

—Richard Berry

Illustration of lynx

Examples of lynx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Populations of lynx, brown bears, and moose have since rebounded. —Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026

Similar plant progressions occur by altitude on the mountains, along with the forest’s famed denizens, the wolf, coyote, moose, black bear, lynx, snowshoe hare, tick, mosquito, midge, deerfly, and blackfly. —Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026

Canada lynxes, grizzly bears, North American wolverines and Northern Idaho ground squirrels also have threatened status under federal law. —Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2026

Populations of lynx, moose, red deer and even free-roaming packs of dogs have rebounded. —Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek; akin to Old English lox lynx and probably to Greek leukos white — more at light

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lynx

• Canada lynx
• Canadian lynx
• lynx-eyed

Rhymes for lynx

• binks
• blinks
• chinks
• drinks
• hinks
• inks
• jinks
• jinx
• kinks
• links
• minks
• pinks

Kids Definition

lynx

noun

ˈliŋ(k)s 

plural lynx or lynxes

1

: a large North American wildcat with rather long legs, a short stubby black-tipped tail, a coat marked with spots and blotches, soft fur, ears with small bunches of long fur at the tip, and large padded feet

called also Canada lynx

2

: any of several related wildcats (as the bobcat)