leather

American  

[leth-er] / ˈlɛð ər /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to cover with leather

2. to whip with or as if with a leather strap

leather Idioms  

1. see hell-bent for leather.

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Other Word Forms

• underleather
  noun
• unleathered
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of leather

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

Explanation

Leather is a material that's made from animal skin and used to make shoes, bags, furniture covers, and many other things. You might be too hot if you wear your leather pants to the beach. Most expensive, well-made shoes are made of leather — although it's pliable and easy to shape, it's also extremely strong and long-lasting. To make leather, the skin of an animal is stripped of all fur or hair, and then tanned, or treated to keep it from cracking and drying. The leather collars on early US Marines' uniforms led to their nickname being "leathernecks."

Example Sentences

Back at the shoot, Saar is wearing one of these leather necklaces, paired with a Gucci kaftan that makes her petite frame look 20 feet tall.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

In one photo from 1972, Lezley wears a leather necklace Saar made for what looks like a school portrait.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

But it also has meant that she ends up twinning with her father, who is fond of wearing black leather jackets and trench coats.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

A leather factory worker in Minnesota who had fled El Salvador, Aguilar cobbled together the money in installments through loans from friends and that year’s tax refund.

From Salon • May 2, 2026

I pull my coat on over my nightdress and slip the small leather book into the pocket.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

• skin