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

Waterbirds eat crab, shrimp and crayfish found in the muddy waters, while batrays and leopard sharks glide effortlessly through grass beds off the coast. —Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

The friends and lovers go to the top floor of the big mall for karaoke at the lounge with the leopard-print walls and mirrors and disco balls. —Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026

Johnson accessorized with a leopard print handbag and a sterling silver Sophie Buhai ring. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

At Junya Watanabe, models walked with a sense of performance rarely seen today except in old videos of couture shows from the 1990s, wearing gowns assembled of athletic equipment and tacky leopard and faux fur fabrics of the kind idolized by Limited Too shoppers. —Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for leopard

• peppered
• shepherd

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