any of several wildcats of the genus Lynx (orFelis ), having long limbs, a short tail, and usually tufted ears, especially L. lynx Canada lynx, of Canada and the northern United States, having grayish-brown fur marked with white.
(initial capital letter) a northern constellation between Ursa Major and Auriga.
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek lýnx
How does lynx compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
A lynx is a wild cat with distinctive tufts on the tips of its ears that give it extra-sensitive hearing. Many species of lynx live in northern climates and use their huge paws as snowshoes. The lynx is known for its tufted ears, snowshoe paws, and lush, spotted fur. Because of this fur, lynx have been aggressively hunted by humans for centuries. Today many species of lynx are endangered, and while Canada lynx have a stable population, they are dependent on snowshoe hares, their preferred prey. Some etymologists guess that lynx comes from a root meaning "brightness," referring to the cat's glowing yellow eyes.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bodie, Hampshire's only wolverine, arrived last year, while lynx sisters Tora and Inga were welcomed to the site earlier in 2026.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
The motion was put forward by non-aligned Rothbury councillor Steven Bridgett, who said the authority should oppose any proposals to reintroduce lynx in order to protect farming.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
An apparent sighting of a Canadian lynx was reported to DPP on 13 May 2025 in Port Henri, Carmarthenshire, and no action was taken.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
A victim of government-sanctioned culling, trigger-happy farmers and rising road traffic, by 2002 the Iberian lynx was on the verge of extinction, with just 94 cats left in their natural habitat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
The coat of Old Tallow was a fantastic thing, woven of various pelts, including one of lynx, one of beaver, a deer hide, and two that belonged to beloved dogs.
From "The Birchbark House" by Louise Erdrich
“Congrats, Cheryl, so much from all the Thibault family,” Thibault said in a video posted on X by the Lynx.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
The Missing Lynx Project is working to reintroduce the species in Northumberland after a consultation found 72% of people in the region supported it.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
In the lead-up to the 2025 season, Stanford alum Karlie Samuelson boarded a flight as a member of the Mystics and learned when she landed that she had been traded to the Minnesota Lynx.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
Trees for Life, which has a 10,000-acre rewilding estate in the Scottish Highlands, says: "Lynx could bring a wide range of ecological and societal benefits to Scotland."
From BBC ● Dec. 25, 2025
‘And what kind of creature? Boar? Lynx? We should’ve asked.’
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
The couple also advertised other animals through social media including hyenas, desert lynxes and pumas.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2025
"I saw the species disappearing. It's surreal that we're in a place where we can see lynxes in nature or through camera trapping almost daily," says Sarmento.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2025
"This can lead to uneasiness within locals. We've been strengthening the coops so lynxes can't access them, and in some cases we keep monitoring the lynxes and scare them off if needed."
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2025
One good option is substances that come from coyotes, lynxes, foxes, and other predators.
From Science Magazine ● Mar. 27, 2024
Our eyes are peeled for bears, lynxes, wayward hunters—any creature that might call the mountains home.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
Sigma Orionis and 12 Lyncis, also Theta Cancri and Mu Bootis are good examples of triple stars.
From Astronomy: The Science of the Heavenly Bodies by Todd, David Peck
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.
