cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər 

also -ˌgär

plural cougars also cougar

1

: a large powerful tawny-brown cat (Puma concolor synonym Felis concolor) formerly widespread in the Americas but now reduced in number or extinct in many areas

called also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma

2

slang : a middle-aged woman seeking a romantic relationship with a younger partner

Illustration of cougar

• cougar 1

Synonyms of cougar

• panther

Examples of cougar in a Sentence

in many regions, suburban developments have encroached upon the habitat of the cougar

Recent Examples on the Web

To catch a glimpse of the cougar shadow, head to the vicinity of 13th Avenue and Goldfield Road in Apache Junction. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Deer hear better than humans, but not nearly as well as predators like cougars, which have large, highly developed auditory bullae. —Jeff Wilson, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026

And a cougar attacks in a very different way than a bear does. —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026

The competition attendees appear wealthy, and are mostly old and white; the women are characterized as cougars. —Jess Lander, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French couguar, modification of New Latin cuguacuarana, from Tupi sɨwasuarána, from sɨwásu deer + -ran resembling

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cougar

• huger
• luger

Kids Definition

cougar

noun

cou·​gar ˈkü-gər 

also -ˌgär

plural cougars also cougar

: a large powerful brownish yellow cat formerly widespread in the Americas but no longer found in many areas

called also catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma