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

The designs will further incorporate such craft techniques as traditional leather marquetry and laser printing that transform Louis Vuitton’s iconic Capucines handbag into a wearable canvas. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Also featured in the group is faux ostrich leather on the Air Jordan 14 Retro Low SP, faux snakeskin on the Air Jordan 15 Retro SP and faux stingray on the Air Jordan 17 Retro Low SP. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

Verb

From pencil to pleated, mini to knee-length, sheer to leather, and understated to embellished — the skirt ruled the runway. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026

Those getting leathered up are Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Lily-Rose Depp, Doona Bae, Riley Keough, Chris Pine and Cate Blanchett. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

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