# cougar

/ˈkuɡɝ/ (US) · /kˈuːɡɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cougar
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. wild animal

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a large, powerful wild cat with brown fur that lives in the mountains and forests of North and South America.

For teachers: a large, tawny feline (Puma concolor) native to the Americas, also known as a mountain lion or puma.

- The hikers were warned to stay on the trail because a cougar had been spotted nearby.
- Wildlife biologists tracked the cougar across the mountain range to study its hunting patterns and territorial boundaries.

### 2. older woman dating younger men

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal · Humorous

a slang word for an older woman who is interested in dating or having relationships with much younger men.

For teachers: a slang term for an older woman who actively seeks sexual or romantic relationships with younger men; often carries a predatory or derogatory connotation.

- She is often called a cougar because all of her boyfriends are in their twenties.
- The media frequently uses the term cougar to describe high-profile women who date younger men, though the label is often criticised as sexist.

Teaching tip: This term can be offensive or derogatory depending on the context; it is best used in very informal or humorous settings among friends.

### 3. university mascot

noun · CEFR C2 · American English · Informal

a student or athlete who represents Washington State University or other schools with this mascot.

For teachers: a student, alumnus, or sports team member of an institution that uses the cougar as its mascot, most notably Washington State University.

- The stadium was full of cheering Cougars wearing crimson and gray.
- As a proud Cougar, he returned to the Pullman campus every autumn for the homecoming football game.

## Examples

- We saw a cougar in the mountains.
- The documentary showed a cougar hunting deer in the dense forest.
- The politician's new girlfriend was dismissed by critics as merely a cougar seeking media attention.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.