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

The man with unruly hair and sideburns in the centre of them, clad in a black leather jacket, hoisted a roaring chainsaw above his head.

Read more on BBC

The European Commission said Tuesday that the brands prevented independent third-party retailers they work with from setting their own prices for their designer products like clothes, leather goods, shoes and accessories.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In a softly lit boutique in the southern Chinese city of Meizhou, Guangdong province, 32-year-old Li Na scrolls through a display of artisanal leather goods.

Read more on Barron's

Some of that is cosmetic: seats that are only half vegan leather rather than full, the lack of ambient lighting on the dashboard, a missing eight-inch touchscreen and AM/FM radio.

Read more on MarketWatch

Some of that is cosmetic: seats that are only half vegan leather rather than full, the lack of ambient lighting on the dashboard, a missing eight-inch touchscreen and AM/FM radio.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• skin