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
Plans to reintroduce lynx to some northern parts of England have been opposed by councillors.
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
Now, thanks to a two-decade conservation initiative across southern Spain and parts of Portugal, there are an estimated 2,700 Iberian lynx in the wild, making it one of the world’s most miraculous comeback stories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
Graceful and gleaming, the lynx landed lightly in the middle of the astonished dancers.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
After she scored seven points against Minnesota, newly acquired guard Monique Akoa Makani missed Sunday’s game with a right ankle injury she sustained in the final minute against the Lynx.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Reeve has missed the postseason only twice during her time with the Lynx, and her 49 playoff wins are the most in league history.
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
Lynx were once native to Scotland before dying out hundreds of years ago.
From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026
‘And what kind of creature? Boar? Lynx? We should’ve asked.’
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
"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
So the lynxes never associate food with people, they are fed through a tunnel system at the centre.
From BBC ● Jan. 5, 2025
As lynxes are often released on private land in Portugal, the organisers of the reproduction programme have to reach an agreement with the owners first.
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 David Peck Todd
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.
