Definition

Noun 1. A large wild cat: A large, powerful feline (Panthera pardus) native to Africa and parts of Asia, characterized by a pale yellow or tawny coat covered with distinctive black rosette-shaped spots. 2. The fur or pelt of this animal: The skin and fur of a leopard, historically used for clothing or decoration.

Examples

• The leopard is an excellent climber and often rests in trees.
• A leopard's spots provide camouflage in its forest and savanna habitats.
• The hunter was fined for possessing an illegal leopard skin.

Advanced Usage

• "A leopard cannot change its spots": This is a common proverb meaning a person's fundamental character, especially if it is bad, cannot change.
  • He promised to be more honest, but a leopard cannot change its spots.
• "Leopard print": A pattern on fabric or material designed to imitate the spotted coat of a leopard.
  • She wore a dress with a bold leopard print.

Variants and Related Words

• Snow leopard (): A distinct, large feline species native to mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, with thick greyish fur and dark rosettes. It is not a true leopard but is named for its resemblance.
• Clouded leopard (): A medium-sized wild cat from Southeast Asia with distinctive cloud-like markings on its coat.
• Leopardess (noun): A female leopard.

Synonyms

• Panther: In some regions, particularly in Asia and Africa, "panther" can refer to a leopard, especially a black (melanistic) one. In the Americas, "panther" typically refers to a cougar or jaguar.
• Big cat: A general term for large felines including leopards, lions, tigers, and jaguars.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To have the spots of a leopard: To possess the inherent, unchangeable characteristics of something (derived from the main proverb).
  • The corrupt system still has the spots of a leopard, despite the reforms.

Noun

1. large feline of African and Asian forests usually having a tawny coat with black spots
2. the pelt of a leopard