leap

1 of 2

verb

ˈlēp 

leaped or leapt ˈlēpt 

also

ˈlept  ; leaping ˈlē-piŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump

leap over a fence

a fish leaps out of the water

2

a

: to pass abruptly from one state or topic to another

the difficult leap from college to the workplace

b

: to act precipitately

leaped at the chance

transitive verb

: to pass over by leaping

leaped the wall

leaper

ˈlē-pər 

noun

leap

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: an act of leaping : spring, bound

b(1)

: a place leaped over or from

(2)

: the distance covered by a leap

2

a

: a sudden passage or transition

a great leap forward

b

: a choice made in an area of ultimate concern

a leap of faith

Phrases

by leaps and bounds

: with extraordinary rapidity

a town growing by leaps and bounds

Synonyms

Verb

• bound
• hop
• jump
• spring
• vault

Noun

• bound
• hop
• jump
• spring
• vault

Examples of leap in a Sentence

Verb

The cat suddenly leaped into the air.

Fish were leaping out of the water.

He leaped off the bridge.

The boys leaped over the stream.

The horse leaped the stone wall.

When the alarm went off, she leapt out of bed.

Noun

She made a graceful leap into the air.

He ran and took a flying leap over the stream.

He won the high jump with a leap of six feet.

the leap from childhood to adulthood

She has shown great leaps in ability.

Technology has taken a great leap forward.

It required a leap of the imagination to picture how the project would look when it was completed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The singer’s current single jumps from No. 20 to No. 15, leaping closer to becoming another top 10 win for the singer. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Name Greg Norton Best known for High-flying bass player for Hüsker Dü, now leaping around stages with my new band, UltraBomb! Current city Red Wing, Minnesota Really want to be On the road touring with UltraBomb. —Liza Lentini, SPIN, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

Expand your mind and energize your body and soul by taking a leap of faith, engaging in spiritual awareness and becoming more in tune with nature and the universe. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Beyond that, the M4 Pro Mac mini was (unsurprisingly) leaps and bounds beyond its M2 Pro predecessor in every test. —PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English lepen, from Old English hlēapan; akin to Old High German hlouffan to run

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing leap

• come/spring/leap to mind
• jump/leap off the page
• leap at
• leap into action
• leap out at
• leap second
• leap to one's feet
• leap to someone's defense
• leap year
• quantum leap
• take a flying leap

Kids Definition

leap

1 of 2 verb

ˈlēp 

leapt ˈlēpt 

also

ˈlept  or leaped; leaping ˈlē-piŋ 

1

: to spring or cause to spring free from or as if from the ground : jump

leap over a fence

2

a

: to pass suddenly from one state or topic to another

b

: to act hastily

I'd leap at the chance

leaper

ˈlē-pər 

noun

leap

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: an act of leaping : spring, bound

b

: a place leaped over or from

c

: the distance covered by a leap

2

: a sudden change of state