leap
LEEP
Leap (verb) means to jump a long distance, or jump over something suddenly and forcefully. Example: “The cat leaps onto the windowsill whenever it hears a bird.”
verb
1
To jump a long distance, or jump over something suddenly and forcefully.
"The cat leaps onto the windowsill whenever it hears a bird."
"The dog leaped over the fence in one bound."
"She leapt out of bed when the alarm rang."
noun
1
The act of jumping, or the distance covered by a jump.
"With one great leap, the child cleared the muddy puddle."
"The cat made a graceful leap onto the shelf."
"The gymnast's leap earned top marks from the judges."
2
A sudden and significant advance or improvement.
"Moving to the new system was a big leap in our productivity."
"This phone is a giant leap from the one I had before."
"The new vaccine was a huge leap forward for medicine."
How to use leap
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big jump, literal or figurative — a sudden movement or a sudden advance.
Common mistake
A "leap of faith" means trusting something without proof, not literally jumping.
Common pairings
leap forward
quantum leap
leap of faith
leap year
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Word forms
- Plural
- leaps
- Third person singular
- leaps
- Past tense
- leapt, leaped, lept, lope, lopen
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat _____ onto the windowsill whenever it hears a bird.
Etymology
From Old English hlēapan, "to run or jump," an ancient Germanic word also related to "elope," "gallop," and "interlope."
Related words
Rhymes for leap
See all rhymes for leap →Frequently asked questions
What does “leap” mean?
The word “leap” means to jump a long distance, or jump over something suddenly and forcefully. In plain terms, a big jump, literal or figurative — a sudden movement or a sudden advance.
How do you pronounce “leap”?
“Leap” is pronounced LEEP (/ˈliːp/ in IPA).
How do you use “leap” in a sentence?
Here is “leap” used in a sentence: “The dog leaped over the fence in one bound.”
What part of speech is “leap”?
Depending on how it is used, “leap” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “leap” come from?
The word “leap” comes from Old English. From Old English hlēapan, "to run or jump," an ancient Germanic word also related to "elope," "gallop," and "interlope.".
Is “leap” a common word?
“Leap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “leap” have?
“Leap” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to jump a long distance, or jump over something suddenly and forcefully.
What is the difference between leap and jump?
Both mean to push off the ground into the air, but 'leap' suggests a longer, more forceful, or more energetic movement, often over an obstacle or distance. 'Jump' is the more general, everyday word and can describe even a small movement.
What is the difference between a leap and a hop?
A leap is a long or high spring, often covering distance or clearing something. A hop is a short, light jump, sometimes on one foot, so it involves far less effort and distance than a leap.
How is 'leap' used to mean progress rather than jumping?
A leap can describe a sudden and significant advance or improvement, as in 'a leap in technology'. Used this way, it stresses how large and rapid the change is, as in the phrase 'a great leap forward'.
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