Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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:

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

You might spot wildlife as you head up, including bobcat, deer, owls, foxes and if lucky, a mountain lion, Hartman said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

A bobcat, coyotes and bears also visited the land, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2025

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

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2024

It’s suspected the bobcat was struck by a vehicle Jan. 7, the sheriff’s office says.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 9, 2024

Solomon’s Leap and Ryna’s Gulch, places they went to or passed by that night they shot the bobcat.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.