To save this word, you'll need to log in.
cloud·ed leopard | \ ˈklau̇-dəd- 
\
\Definition of clouded leopard
: either of two medium-sized, often arboreal cats (Neofelis nebulosa of mainland southeast Asia and N. diardi of Borneo and Sumatra) that are grayish to yellowish with darker irregular rings, ovals, and rosettes
… new analysis shows the clouded leopards of Borneo (and also Sumatra) are a bit darker than their mainland cousins, with smaller cloud-shaped markings.— Helen Fields
Examples of clouded leopard in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Reportedly the smallest of the large cats, the clouded leopard can rotate its ankles.
—
Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, "Houston Zoo welcomes pair of baby clouded leopards," 13 Nov. 2019 It is estimated that there are about 10,000 clouded leopards in the wild.
—
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "National Zoo Warmly Welcomes Their First Clouded Leopard Cubs," 11 Sep. 2019 According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the zoo recently welcomed two clouded leopard cubs to their Asia Trail.
—
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "National Zoo Warmly Welcomes Their First Clouded Leopard Cubs," 11 Sep. 2019 Other definitions group big cats by size and add clouded leopards, cheetahs, snow leopards and cougars.
—
Elisa Neckar, Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Big Cats," 8 May 2018 Some point to the clouded leopard of Asia has sometimes as having the potential to become the next sabertooth.
—
Brian Switek, Smithsonian, "How Did Sabercats Use Those Outlandish Fangs?," 21 Mar. 2017 The cat’s canines are long for its size; perhaps, over time and with the right evolutionary nudging, the clouded leopard or another cat could take Smilodon's place.
—
Brian Switek, Smithsonian, "How Did Sabercats Use Those Outlandish Fangs?," 21 Mar. 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clouded leopard.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on clouded leopard
What made you want to look up clouded leopard? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Semantic Drift Quiz
- Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share clouded leopard
Time Traveler for clouded leopard
The first known use of clouded leopard was in 1903
See more words from the same year