ENGLISH
REFERENCE

leopard

n.
US //ˈɫɛpɝd// UK //lˈɛpəd// leop·ard
  1. 1 the animal (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a large wild cat with yellow fur and black spots that lives in Africa and Asia.

    a large, solitary feline (Panthera pardus) native to Africa and parts of Asia, distinguished by its spotted coat and ability to climb trees.

    Example

    The leopard hid in the tall grass while watching the herd of deer.

    Example

    Conservationists are working to protect the leopard's natural habitat from further encroachment by local farming communities.
  2. 2 heraldry (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    a symbol of a lion shown walking and looking toward the viewer.

    a lion represented in a walking position with its head turned toward the spectator.

    Example

    The king's shield featured a golden leopard on a red background.

    Example

    In traditional English heraldry, the term leopard was often used to describe a lion in the passant guardant position rather than the biological feline.

    Usage

    Used primarily in the study of coats of arms and historical emblems.
    • lion passant guardant
Origin

From Middle English leopard, leopart, lepard, leperd, from Old French leopard (“leopard”), from Late Latin leopardus (“leopon, lipard”) from late Ancient Greek λεόπαρδος (leópardos, “leopon, lipard”), from λέων (léōn, “lion”) + πάρδος (párdos, “pard, male leopard”), from earlier πάρδαλις (párdalis, “leopard”), probably from an unattested Old Persian [Term?] term ancestral to Middle Persian palang, Khwarezmian plyk, Sogdian [script needed] (pwrδnk), Pashto پړانګ (pṛāng). Compare Persian پلنگ (palang) and Sanskrit पृदाकु (pṛdāku, “panther”).

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

Last updated June 20, 2026