leopard

American  

[lep-erd] / ˈlɛp ərd /

noun

1. a large, spotted Asian or African carnivore, Panthera pardus, of the cat family, usually tawny with black markings; the Old World panther: all leopard populations are threatened or endangered.

2. the fur or pelt of this animal.

3. any of various related cats resembling this animal.

4. Heraldry. a lion represented from the side as walking, usually with one forepaw raised, and looking toward the spectator.

5. Numismatics.

   1. an Anglo-Gallic gold coin issued by Edward III, equal to half a florin, bearing the figure of a leopard.

   2. a silver Anglo-Gallic coin issued by Henry V.

6. Military. Leopard, a 42-ton (38-metric ton) West German tank with a 105 mm gun.

---

leopard British  

/ ˈlɛpəd /

noun

1. Also called: panther.  a large feline mammal, Panthera pardus, of forests of Africa and Asia, usually having a tawny yellow coat with black rosette-like spots

2. any of several similar felines, such as the snow leopard and cheetah

3. a feline, Neofelis nebulosa, of SE Asia and Indonesia with a yellowish-brown coat marked with darker spots and blotches

4. heraldry a stylized leopard, painted as a lion with the face turned towards the front

5. the pelt of a leopard

---

Other Word Forms

• leopardess
  noun

Etymology

Origin of leopard

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English leopard, labarde, lebarde, from Old French leopard, lebard, leupard, from Late Latin leōpardus, from Greek leópardos, syncopated variant of leontópardos, equivalent to leonto- (stem of léōn ) + párdos; see origin at lion, pard ¹

Explanation

A leopard is a large feline, a very distant relative of the sweet kitty purring on your lap. A member of the panther family, the leopard is extinct in some regions and considered vulnerable in others. Leopards look similar to jaguars; they both have distinctive rose-shaped markings that act as camouflage, though leopards are slightly smaller and lighter. In rare cases when a leopard's melanin makes it appear totally black, it's called a black panther. The name of this large cat comes from an ancient belief that it was half lion and half panther — the Greek root leopardos means "lion-panther."

Example Sentences

The shift served as a reminder to anyone credulous enough to have been taken in by his performance that the leopard does not change its spots.

From Salon • Apr. 29, 2026

The deep green living room sets a bold scene: a clock worthy of Dalí, leopard prints, pink Persian rugs, a snake ottoman and a thrifted tufted chair with Art Deco vibes from CB2.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

The sisters, wearing leopard print dresses and cowboy boots, beamed as Pulido performed “Desvelado” for the fourth time in 24 hours.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

"May my breath not run out; I will run like a leopard," he added.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

“It growled low down in its throat—rrrrrr! Its tail lashed the grass. I thought, That leopard could swallow my bundle of sticks and still have room for me.”

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Related Words

• cheetah
• panther