leopard

1 of 2

noun (1)

leop·​ard ˈle-pərd 

1

a

: a large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usually tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes

called also panther

b

: the fur or pelt of a leopard

2

: a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant

Illustration of leopard

• leopard 1

leopardess

2 of 2

noun (2)

leop·​ard·​ess ˈle-pər-dəs 

: a female leopard

Examples of leopard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The main residence offers four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and a flamboyant leopard-print powder room. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026

In 2024, Shaoheng Chen, then a student at the optometry college, had assisted a professor with a seventy-four-year-old female patient who had bleeding and leopard-spot lesions on her retina. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2026

Nature has been a central theme of Larsson and Sinot's glam routine this year, including animals—like leopard print eyes and sparkly cat whiskers—and underwater creatures. — Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026

Animal prints, including leopard, zebra and snakeskin, are also in, paired with otherwise minimalist outfits. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French lepart, leupart, from Late Latin leopardus, from Greek leopardos, from leōn lion + pardos leopard

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1567, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing leopard

• a leopard can't change its spots
• clouded leopard
• leopard cat
• leopard frog
• leopard seal
• snow leopard

Rhymes for leopard

• peppered
• shepherd

Kids Definition

leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈlep-ərd 

: a large strong cat of southern Asia and Africa that has a brownish buff coat with black spots arranged in broken rings

called also panther