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

Her son Henry, who stood taller than his mom, was dressed in a beige suit with a leopard-print silk top. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Because there was Queen Camilla, emerging in front of that $100-million-dollar Jackson Pollock (once owned by Si Newhouse) in a leopard print dress. —Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026

Photos of Dosio’s trophy room at his home — which included an elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo, crocodile, zebra and leopard — were shared by the New York Post and The Daily Mail. —Ryan Brennan april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026

Its glittering pin stripes nodded to traditional menswear, while the yellow leopard front patch was reminiscent of her feline debut. —Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 28 Apr. 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