leap

1 of 3

verb

ˈlēp 

leaped or leapt ˈlēpt 

also

ˈlept  ; leaping ˈlē-piŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump

leap over a fence

a fish leaps out of the water

2

a

: to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another

the difficult leap from college to the workplace

b

: to act precipitately

leaped at the chance

transitive verb

: to pass over by leaping

leaped the wall

leaper

ˈlē-pər 

noun

leap

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: an act of leaping : spring, bound

b(1)

: a place leaped over or from

(2)

: the distance covered by a leap

2

a

: a sudden passage or transition

a great leap forward

b

: a choice made in an area of ultimate concern

a leap of faith

see also:

by leaps and bounds

leaper

3 of 3

noun (2)

leap·​er -pə(r) 

plural -s

: one that leaps

specifically : a circus performer who does acrobatic jumps

Synonyms of leap

Verb

• jump
• hop

Noun (1)

• jump
• hop

Examples of leap in a Sentence

Verb

The cat suddenly leaped into the air.

Fish were leaping out of the water.

He leaped off the bridge.

The boys leaped over the stream.

The horse leaped the stone wall.

When the alarm went off, she leapt out of bed.

Noun (1)

She made a graceful leap into the air.

He ran and took a flying leap over the stream.

He won the high jump with a leap of six feet.

the leap from childhood to adulthood

She has shown great leaps in ability.

Technology has taken a great leap forward.

It required a leap of the imagination to picture how the project would look when it was completed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Advertisement Defender Alex Freeman’s insurance goal in the 43rd minute wasn’t just notable for the athleticism Freeman displayed on a leaping header. —Sean Gregory, Time, 20 June 2026

Dial it over to Sport mode, and the VLE is properly perky, leaping forward with just a modest flex of your right ankle. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 19 June 2026

Noun

The video shows Sid take a leap before launching off the tree branch, flying in a circle around the nest as siblings Maz and Hutch watch. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 22 June 2026

Showrunners Alexandra Clarke and Heather Conkie break down all the details of their bittersweet finale, including the importance of Kat and Alice's final leap. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 22 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English lepen, from Old English hlēapan; akin to Old High German hlouffan to run

Noun (2)

Middle English lepere one that leaps, one that runs, from Old English hlēapere dancer, courier, from hlēapan to run, jump, leap + -ere -er

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing leap

• come/spring/leap to mind
• jump/leap off the page
• leap at
• leap into action
• leap out at
• leap second
• leap to one's feet
• leap to someone's defense
• leap year
• quantum leap
• take a flying leap

Rhymes for leap

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sheep
• sleep

Kids Definition

leap

1 of 2 verb

ˈlēp 

leapt ˈlēpt 

also

ˈlept  or leaped; leaping ˈlē-piŋ 

1

: to spring or cause to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump

leap over a fence

2

a

: to pass suddenly from one state or topic to another

b

: to act hastily

I'd leap at the chance

leaper

ˈlē-pər 

noun

leap

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act of leaping : spring, bound

b

: a place leaped over or from

c

: the distance covered by a leap

2

: a sudden change of state