ocelot

American  

[os-uh-lot, oh-suh-] / ˈɒs əˌlɒt, ˈoʊ sə- /

noun

1. a spotted leopardlike cat, Felis pardalis, ranging from Texas through South America: now greatly reduced in number and endangered in the U.S.

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ocelot British  

/ ˈɒsɪˌlɒt, ˈəʊ- /

noun

1. a feline mammal, Felis pardalis, inhabiting the forests of Central and South America and having a dark-spotted buff-brown coat

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Other Word Forms

• oceloid adjective

Etymology

Origin of ocelot

1765–75; < French, apparently arbitrary shortening of Nahuatl tlālōcēlōtl ocelot, equivalent to tlāl ( li ) earth, land + ōcēlōtl jaguar

Compare meaning

How does ocelot compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ocelot vs. bobcat

Example Sentences

Akers would like to see all hermit crabs legally reclassified as exotic pets, like an alligator or an ocelot, so their sale and ownership could be regulated.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2025

There’s a new ocelot kitten at the Los Angeles Zoo, delighting zookeepers and visitors.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2024

Zoo officials announced Monday the arrival of the baby ocelot, a 19-ounce male born Sept. 12 to mother Maya, who was described as “an experienced nurturing mom,” according to the press release.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2023

“It’s not one of our native big cat species, mountain lion, bobcat, ocelot or jaguar. It’s pretty big for a house cat,” Arizona Game and Fish Department spokesman Tom Cadden told The Arizona Republic Wednesday.

From Washington Times • Nov. 16, 2023

The fifth, who was masked as an ocelot and always obtained victory in the unequal contest, fought with his left hand, being “left-handed,” a peculiarity ascribed to Huitzilopochtli.

From The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civilizations by Nuttall, Zelia

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty