leopard

noun

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

Examples of leopard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The zoo says that the facility would be about 50 yards from some of its animals and that the noise could disturb its residents, including a leap of leopards that hail originally from Southeast Asia. —David Ingram, NBC news, 6 June 2026

Vargas is survived by his loving parents, Michael and Alicia Vargas; his sisters, Briana Gidney, and Marissa Allison Vargas; a host of other family members, friends, and his beloved pet, Piccolo, a sunglow leopard gecko. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026

Arriving guests can be greeted by elephants at reception, before taking in tigers, bears, leopards, and hundreds of bird species on game drives. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Haddish paired the heels with the Alex Perry Addilyn printed silk-satin midi dress in a black and white leopard print. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

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