What does "jaguar" mean?

1. (the animal) a large wild cat with yellow fur and black spots that lives in the jungles of Central and South America. 2. (the car brand) a well-known brand of expensive, fast cars from Britain.

jaguar

US //ˈdʒæˌɡwɑɹ// UK //dʒˈæɡwɑː// jaguar

1 the animal (n.)
B1 Intermediate Science

a large wild cat with yellow fur and black spots that lives in the jungles of Central and South America.

a large, carnivorous feline (Panthera onca) native to the Americas, characterized by a tawny coat with black rosettes.

Example

The jaguar moved silently through the thick jungle trees while hunting for food.

Example

Conservationists are working to protect the jaguar's natural habitat in the Amazon to prevent the species from becoming endangered.
- panther
2 the car brand (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a well-known brand of expensive, fast cars from Britain.

a British luxury vehicle manufacturer or a car produced by this company.

Example

He saved his money for years to buy a classic silver Jaguar.

Example

The collector showcased a vintage Jaguar at the auto show, highlighting the brand's history of elegant design and high performance.
- luxury car

Origin

From Portuguese jaguar, from Old Tupi îagûara.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026