leap

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

Synonyms of leap

• jump
• hop

Examples of leap in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The hosts threatened again in the sixth with a pair of walks, but Nagashima made a leaping catch at the fence in center field on a deep drive by Perry for the second out of the inning and Banuelos fanned the next batter. —Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026

As a sophomore, the North Dakota State recruit leaped 6 feet, 6 inches to place second. —Frank Rajkowski, Twin Cities, 6 June 2026

Max Schuemann made his first career start in right field Thursday and made a diving catch on Steven Kwan in the second along with a leaping catch on Brayan Rocchio in the seventh. —Larry Fleisher, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026

The ball caromed high off the rim, and San Antonio’s Devin Vassell leapt to catch it. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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