bobcat

American  

[bob-kat] / ˈbɒbˌkæt /

noun

plural

bobcats,

plural

bobcat

1. a North American wildcat, Lynx rufus, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico, having a brownish coat with black spots.

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bobcat British  

/ ˈbɒbˌkæt /

noun

1. Also called: bay lynx.  a North American feline mammal, Lynx rufus , closely related to but smaller than the lynx, having reddish-brown fur with dark spots or stripes, tufted ears, and a short tail

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Etymology

Origin of bobcat

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; bob(tail) + cat ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does bobcat compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• lynx vs. bobcat
• ocelot vs. bobcat

Example Sentences

His security cameras once captured a bobcat walking past a feral cat on his property.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

I live in the foothills where bear, bobcat and mountain lion sightings break up the tedium of coyote and raccoon encounters.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2025

OK, yes, maybe you still have questions about the bobcat pee thing.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2024

If you saw a red-tailed hawk injured after colliding with an office window, or a bobcat hit by a car, what would you do?

From Seattle Times • Apr. 18, 2024

The woman’s eyes and the display of her teeth made him remember the glassy eyes of the stuffed bobcat above the bar in Bibo.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty