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 )

      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 Word Forms

• underleather noun
• unleathered 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

Ellis poses in a leather jacket studded with the words Wolf Alice.

Read more on BBC

He was dressed in standard Mexican grandpa attire: long flannel shirt, blue hat, jeans and sneakers along with a salt-and-pepper mustache and a leather cellphone case hanging from his belt.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Not long ago, track spikes were little more than barbed leather socks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But these days, those workouts seem as old-fashioned as hucking a leather ball into a peach basket.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A college student who doesn’t eat meat because she loves animals admitted that she sometimes wears “cute” leather shoes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• skin