leather

[ leth-er ]

noun

1. the skin of an animal, with the hair removed, prepared for use by tanning or a similar process designed to preserve it against decay and make it pliable or supple when dry.
2. an article made of this material.
3. stirrup leather.

adjective

1. pertaining to, made of, or resembling leather:

   leather processing; leather upholstery.

2. Slang. catering to or patronized by customers who typically wear leather clothing, often as a means of signaling interest in or preference for sadomasochistic sexual activity.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or furnish with leather.
2. Informal. to beat with a leather strap.

leather

/ ˈlɛðə /

noun

1. 1. a material consisting of the skin of an animal made smooth and flexible by tanning, removing the hair, etc
   2. ( as modifier ) coriaceousleathern

      leather goods

2. plural leather clothes, esp as worn by motorcyclists
3. the flap of a dog's ear

verb

1. to cover with leather
2. to whip with or as if with a leather strap

Other Words From

• under·leather noun
• un·leathered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of leather¹

before 1000; Middle English lether, Old English lether- (in compounds); cognate with Dutch, German leder, Old Norse lethr, MIr lethar skin, leather, Welsh lledr, Middle Breton lezr leather

Word History and Origins

Origin of leather¹

Old English lether- (in compound words); related to Old High German leder, Old Norse lethr-

Idioms and Phrases

see hell-bent for leather .

Example Sentences

With every stroke, her leather boot creaked under the weight of her leg.

From The Daily Beast

She tugged on the black rope that wrapped around his thighs and torso, her leather gloves creaking with each adjustment.

From The Daily Beast

Or there he is, matching leather jackets with a baby-faced Bruce Springsteen.

From The Daily Beast

They include signed photographs of Eisenhower and Field Marshal Montgomery, as well as paintings and a red leather despatch box.

From The Daily Beast

With this cool leather moto hat from Vince Camuto, you can look fabulous and fashionable while keeping your locks in line.

From The Daily Beast

A leather swordbelt, gold-embroidered at the edges, carried a long steel-halted rapier in a leather scabbard chaped with steel.

From Project Gutenberg

The sleeves of his doublet which protruded from his leather casing were of the same colour and material as his trunks.

From Project Gutenberg

And the man who had done all this—a vulgar upstart out of Paris, reeking of leather and the barrack-room still lived!

From Project Gutenberg

His clothes marked him as a man of the city, for we do not wear shooting jackets, and breeches and leather leggings in our valley.

From Project Gutenberg

But the jar threw my six-shooter where I couldn't reach it, and the carbine was jammed in the stirrup-leather on the wrong side.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• skin