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

There is something effortless and endlessly cool about the combination of red and leopard. —Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2026

After a picnic dinner, settle in for a night surrounded by the safely distant sounds of hippos, hyenas, leopards, and lions. —Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

On the flipside, more intricate patterns, like lace or leopard, may seem maximalist in spirit, but scaling them down or making the design more abstract can tone things down. —Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 20 Jan. 2026

Richardson even wore a dress that fit her character’s zany persona—a sheer leopard-print mini trimmed with ruffles of white lace and complemented by a stripe of red plaid. —Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 15 Jan. 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