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

Explanation

If you spot an animal in the woods that's about twice as big as your pet tabby, with spots like a leopard and a very short tail, it's probably a bobcat! Bobcats, a type of lynx, live all across North America, from Canada to Mexico. They prefer wooded areas, although they're also found in the mountains, in deserts, and even in the swamps of Florida. Bobcats, named for their short "bobbed" tails, prey on rabbits, chickens and other birds, rodents of various types, and even deer. Unlike their relatives, Canadian lynx, bobcats don't move easily through snow, but they're tough and adaptable enough to thrive in the north anyway.

Example Sentences

Five years earlier, her house in Juniper Hills burned to the ground in the Bobcat fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Her nearby business, Adams’ Pack Station, which does donkey supply runs to historic cabins, was financially hit during the 2020 Bobcat fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2025

“Our hearts are with the people who were affected by the Bobcat fire,” said Jeff Monford, a spokesman for Edison.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

It wasn’t unfamiliar: I had watched the hillside above me burn in La Crescenta during the Station fire of 2009, and in 2020 the Bobcat fire brought noxious smoke and ash to Altadena.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2025

“I hope you’ll want my input when the time comes. No Bobcats. I feel like everyone is a Bobcat these days,” he said before he walked away.

From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty