leather

1 of 2

noun

leath·​er ˈle-t͟hər 

1

: animal skin dressed for use

2

: the flap of the ear of a dog see dog illustration

3

: something wholly or partly made of leather

leather adjective

leatherlike

ˈle-t͟hər-ˌlīk 

adjective

leather

2 of 2

verb

leathered; leathering ˈle-t͟hə-riŋ 

ˈlet͟h-riŋ

transitive verb

1

: to cover with leather

2

: to beat with a strap : thrash

Synonyms of leather

Noun

• skin
• coat
• hide

Verb

• hide
• whip
• cowhide
• slash
• tan
• rawhide
• lash
• flick
• birch
• horsewhip
• switch

Examples of leather in a Sentence

Noun

the company claims to use only the finest leathers for its shoes and handbags

this jacket was made from real leather

Verb

an expert rider will find almost no reason to leather a horse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On January 1, Hadid proved black-and-white is still the all-time chicest combo, pairing her ecru pants with a simple white long-sleeve t-shirt, a collarless black leather jacket, and all-black accessories; including every straight-leg jean's best friend, the heeled ankle bootie. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026

For this super laidback, windchill-ready look, Hadid wore a beanie hat over her plaits, ski goggle-like black sunglasses, and black leather gloves. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026

Verb

From penny loafers and tassel loafers to leather and suede variations, there are so many different iterations of the tried-and-true shoe that can fit seamlessly into your closet, no matter your personal style. —Abby Morgan Lebet, Glamour, 31 Dec. 2025

The brand sources leather exclusively from colder climates, where fibers tighten under temperature, ensuring structure without compromising fluidity. —Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lether, from Old English lether-; akin to Old High German leder leather, Old Irish lethar

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing leather

• buff leather
• glove leather
• hell-for-leather
• kid leather
• leather-lunged
• napa leather
• patent leather
• Russia leather
• saddle leather
• shoe-leather
• stirrup leather

Rhymes for leather

• aether
• gether
• heather
• nether
• tether
• weather
• wether
• whether
• altogether
• together

Kids Definition

leather

noun

leath·​er

ˈlet͟h-ər

1

: animal skin prepared for use

2

: something entirely or partly made of leather