leather
LEH-thuh
Leather (noun) means a durable material made from tanned animal hide, used for clothing, furniture, and accessories. Example: “The shop smelled of polish and fresh leather from the saddles on display.”
noun
1
A durable material made from tanned animal hide, used for clothing, furniture, and accessories.
"The shop smelled of polish and fresh leather from the saddles on display."
"She saved up for a sofa covered in real leather."
"The jacket was made of soft brown leather."
adjective
1
Made of leather.
"He carried his lunch in an old leather satchel that had belonged to his father."
"A leather belt keeps these trousers from slipping down."
"He wore leather boots for the hike."
verb
1
To hit or beat someone or something forcefully.
"The old boxer used to leather his opponents in the ring."
How to use leather
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTanned animal hide used to make goods, or (informally) to strike something hard.
Common pairings
leather jacket
leather boots
genuine leather
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- leathers
- Past tense
- leathered
Fill the gap
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The shop smelled of polish and fresh _____ from the saddles on display.
Etymology
From Old English leþer, from an ancient Germanic word possibly borrowed from Celtic, ultimately tied to a very old Indo-European root.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for leather
See all rhymes for leather →Frequently asked questions
What does “leather” mean?
The word “leather” means a durable material made from tanned animal hide, used for clothing, furniture, and accessories. In plain terms, tanned animal hide used to make goods, or (informally) to strike something hard.
How do you pronounce “leather”?
“Leather” is pronounced LEH-thuh (/ˈlɛðɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “leather” in a sentence?
Here is “leather” used in a sentence: “The jacket was made of soft brown leather.”
What part of speech is “leather”?
Depending on how it is used, “leather” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “leather” come from?
The word “leather” comes from Old English. From Old English leþer, from an ancient Germanic word possibly borrowed from Celtic, ultimately tied to a very old Indo-European root.
Is “leather” a common word?
“Leather” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “leather” have?
“Leather” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a durable material made from tanned animal hide, used for clothing, furniture, and accessories.
What is the difference between "leather" and "suede"?
Both are made from animal hide, but "leather" usually refers to the smooth, finished outer surface, which is durable and often shiny. "Suede" is made from the softer inner layer of the hide, giving a fuzzy, napped texture. Suede is a type of leather, but generally less water-resistant.
What is the difference between "leather" and "faux leather"?
"Leather" is a natural material made from tanned animal hide. "Faux leather," also called pleather or leatherette, is a synthetic imitation made from plastic or coated fabric designed to look like leather. Faux leather is animal-free and usually cheaper, but generally less durable.
What is the difference between "leather" and "hide"?
A "hide" is the raw animal skin before processing. "Leather" is what that hide becomes after tanning, the treatment that makes it durable and prevents it from decaying. In short, hide is the raw material and leather is the finished product.
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