# leather

/ˈɫɛðɝ/ (US) · /lˈɛðɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leather
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. material

noun · CEFR B1

a strong, flexible material made by cleaning and treating animal skin.

For teachers: a durable material produced by tanning or similar chemical treatment of animal hides, typically from cattle.

- He bought a high-quality leather jacket that would last for years.
- The artisan selected a supple piece of full-grain leather to ensure the handmade boots would be both durable and comfortable.

### 2. clothing

noun · CEFR B2

clothes made of leather, especially the protective gear worn by motorcycle riders.

For teachers: protective or stylistic garments made from animal hide, frequently used in the plural to refer to a motorcyclist's suit.

- The biker put on his leathers before heading out on the highway.
- Professional racers wear reinforced leathers designed to protect them from abrasions during high-speed falls on the track.

Usage: Often used in the plural form 'leathers' when referring to a full motorcycle suit.

### 3. the ball

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a ball used in sports like cricket or football.

For teachers: a metonymic reference to a ball used in sports, specifically one traditionally constructed with a leather exterior.

- The batsman hit the leather hard toward the boundary.
- The bowler polished the leather on his trousers, hoping to achieve more swing in the humid afternoon air.

### 4. made of leather

adjective · CEFR B1

describes something that is made from animal skin.

For teachers: denoting an object constructed from tanned animal hide; typically used attributively before a noun.

- She sat down in a comfortable leather chair in the library.
- The interior of the luxury sedan featured hand-stitched leather seats and a matching steering wheel cover.

### 5. to hit hard

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · British English

to hit something or someone very hard.

For teachers: to strike with great force; often used in the context of sports or physical punishment.

- The striker leathered the ball into the back of the net.
- The defender leathered the clearance out of the stadium to prevent a last-minute goal from the opposing team.

Usage: Transitive verb taking a direct object.

## Examples

- She wears a black leather jacket every day.
- The luxury car features soft leather seats and a matching steering wheel cover.
- Artisans in the local market still use traditional vegetable tanning methods to produce leather that ages beautifully over several decades of use.

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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.