adjective

leonine

LEE-uh-nyne

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Leonine (adjective) means of or resembling a lion, or having qualities typical of a lion. Example: “He had a leonine mane of grey hair swept back from his face.”

adjective

Of or resembling a lion, or having qualities typical of a lion.

"He had a leonine mane of grey hair swept back from his face."

"The actor's leonine stare made him perfect for the role of the king."

"She moved with a slow, leonine grace across the stage."

How to use leonine

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLooking or acting like a lion.

When to use it

Leonine is a literary word, more at home in descriptive writing than in ordinary conversation.

Memory tip

Think of the lion's mane: leonine is most often used for hair, faces and a proud, confident bearing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

leonine mane leonine features leonine grace a leonine stare

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “leonine” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He had a _____ mane of grey hair swept back from his face.

Etymology

Leonine comes from Late Middle English leonin, which was taken from Old French and ultimately from the Latin leoninus, meaning of or pertaining to a lion. The Latin word is built on leo, meaning lion, a term that itself traces back to Ancient Greek.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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lionesque lionly

Rhymes for leonine

nine mine wine line sine ovine amine thine shine Rhine Maine seine

See all rhymes for leonine →

Frequently asked questions

What does leonine mean?

It means lionlike, describing something that looks or behaves like a lion.

Is leonine used to describe people?

Yes, it is often used for a person's face, hair or manner when it suggests the look of a lion.

Where does the word leonine come from?

It comes from Latin leoninus, based on leo, the Latin word for lion.

What is the meaning of leonine?

"leonine" (adjective) means of or resembling a lion, or having qualities typical of a lion.