jungle cat

noun

: a small grayish to tawny cat (Felis chaus) found from northern Africa to Asia and having a black-tipped tail and tufted ears
broadly : a wild cat (such as a leopard) of tropical regions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Majors is terrifying as Damian, whether implying a hurricane of resentment beneath his smiling facade or prowling the ring like a jungle cat, a playful spring of almost sing-song danger in his ducking and weaving step. A.a. Dowd, Chron, 24 Feb. 2023 The jungle cat, not a typical desert species, is expanding; the distribution of desert foxes is reducing. Azera Parveen Rahman, Quartz, 27 Oct. 2022 Available in several color options and from sizes XXS to 6X, these breezy cotton poplin pajamas feature a gorgeous jungle cat print, which was brought to life with help from creative partners in Jaipur. Corinne Sullivan, Woman's Day, 16 Sep. 2022 Cady says to herself in a famous scene from Mean Girls, before leaping over a cafeteria table and going full jungle cat on queen bee Regina George. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2021 But broadcasting the Detroit Lions’ 42-21 loss to the Packers on Sunday might have been stranger than trying to get a good quote out of a jungle cat. Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press, 21 Sep. 2020 Your best bet is to paddle a kayak up the Esquinas River into the mangroves that are home to five different species of jungle cats, including the rare jaguar. Outside Online, 23 Sep. 2019 Why is the logo some sort of jungle cat with pharaoh headgear? Khadrice Rollins, SI.com, 21 Aug. 2019 Shenzi, whose pack of scavengers have been chafing under the rule of a big jungle cat who decides who eats whom and when, is only too happy to aid and abet Scar’s coup. Michael O'sullivan, Twin Cities, 18 July 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'jungle cat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jungle cat was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near jungle cat

Cite this Entry

“Jungle cat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jungle%20cat. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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