leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈle-pərd 

1

a

: a large strong cat (Panthera pardus) of southern Asia and Africa that is adept at climbing and is usually tawny or buff with black spots arranged in rosettes

called also panther

b

: the fur or pelt of a leopard

2

: a heraldic representation of a lion passant guardant

Illustration of leopard

• leopard 1

Examples of leopard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the 2025 Oscars on Sunday, Doja also donned a Balmain leopard print design. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Mar. 2025

In late 2024, Sabrina Carpenter put her spin on the look with a Fran Fine twist, stepping out in New York with extra-, extra-voluminous blonde curls and a hint of leopard print, a.k.a. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 28 Feb. 2025

Here's how your faves and impeccable dressers are styling leopard print in 2025. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2025

Prints and Patterns Kate Flannery and Mary Lynn Rajskub bring florals and leopard print to the red carpet at the 1923 season 2 premiere in Los Angeles on Feb. 19. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lepart, leupart, from Late Latin leopardus, from Greek leopardos, from leōn lion + pardos leopard

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing leopard

• a leopard can't change its spots
• clouded leopard
• leopard cat
• leopard frog
• leopard seal
• snow leopard

Rhymes for leopard

• peppered
• shepherd

Kids Definition

leopard

noun

leop·​ard ˈlep-ərd 

: a large strong cat of southern Asia and Africa that has a brownish buff coat with black spots arranged in broken rings

called also panther