lion

IPA/ˈlaɪən/
KK[lˈaɪən]IPA/ˈlaɪən/

lion — noun

  • lionsingular
  • lionsplural

1. A very large wild cat with short yellow-brown fur. Male lions grow a thick mane

1.nounA2
Definition

A very large wild cat with short yellow-brown fur. Male lions grow a thick mane of hair around the neck and head. They live in groups called prides and are found mainly in Africa, with a small population living in India.

Example

Talia spotted a pride of lions resting under an acacia tree during the safari.

collocation: pride of lions

The lion let out a deep roar that echoed across the valley at dawn.

Common collocations
  • cub
  • pride
  • mane
  • roar
  • den
  • hunt
  • sleep
  • growl
  • pounce
  • male
  • female
  • young
  • old
  • wild
  • African

Grammar Patterns

a/the lion

lions (plural)

pride of lions

Usage Note

Lions are the only cats that live in organized social groups called prides. A pride typically includes several related females, their cubs, and a small number of adult males.

Common Mistakes

I saw a lion in India last week.
I saw a lion in a wildlife park in India last week.
Wild lions today are almost entirely found in Africa; the small Indian population lives only in the Gir Forest.

2. A person widely admired for their fame, success, or influence in a particular ar

2.nounB2
Definition

A person widely admired for their fame, success, or influence in a particular area of work or society — for example, a lion of the art world or a literary lion whose novels have won major prizes.

Example

After winning the Booker Prize, Jenna became a lion of the literary world.

pattern: a lion of [field]

Darius was treated like a lion wherever he went in the business community.

Common collocations
  • field
  • world
  • community
  • movement
  • industry
  • become
  • remain
  • be considered
  • literary
  • cultural
  • business
  • political
Synonyms
  • giant

    Emphasizes huge influence and lasting impact; more informal than 'lion' — 'a giant of modern architecture'

  • icon

    Suggests symbolic importance and broad cultural recognition — 'a fashion icon'

  • legend

    More informal and suggests an almost mythic status — 'a living legend in jazz music'

  • celebrity

    Focuses on fame from media attention rather than respected achievement — 'a Hollywood celebrity'

Antonyms
  • nobody

    Informal term for an unimportant person — 'She went from a nobody to a lion of the industry.'

Grammar Patterns

a lion of [field]

the lion of [group]

Usage Note

Frequently used in the construction 'a lion of [field/domain]' (e.g. 'a lion of the opera', 'a literary lion'). This sense does NOT mean a brave person — to describe courage, use phrases like 'as brave as a lion' or 'lion-hearted'.

Common Mistakes

She fought like a lion in the final match.
She is a lion of the tennis world, with three Grand Slam titles.
The figurative sense of 'lion' on its own means a person of importance and success, not someone who fights bravely.
Idioms

the lion's share

idiom

The greater part of something that is divided among several people, leaving a much smaller amount for the others.

The oldest daughter received the lion's share of their grandmother's estate.

Our department does the lion's share of the work but gets very little credit for it.

the lion's den

idiom

A difficult or threatening place or situation where you have to face people who are hostile, critical, or likely to attack your ideas.

Walking into that shareholder meeting felt like stepping into the lion's den.

The young lawyer knew she was entering the lion's den when she argued against the senior partners.

beard the lion in his den

idiom

To confront a powerful or influential person directly in their own territory, especially to challenge their authority or to demand something.

Samir decided to beard the lion in his den and visit the CEO at his own office.

The journalist bearded the lion in his den by requesting a one-on-one meeting with the minister.

the lion’s den

idiom

A dangerous or uncomfortable situation where you must deal with people who are hostile or critical.

Maya walked into the lion’s den to present her unpopular idea.

Did you really go into the lion’s den and argue with the board?

the lion’s share (of something)

idiom

The largest or most important part of something that is divided among several people.

Sara got the lion’s share of the inheritance from her grandmother.

Who usually takes the lion’s share of the credit for team projects?

to beard the lion in his den

idiom

To confront a powerful or important person directly in their own territory.

Diego decided to beard the lion in his den and ask for a raise.

She bearded the lion in his den by complaining to the CEO personally.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe a person of high standing, but each brings a different shade. 'Giant' focuses on immense influence in a particular field ('a giant of physics') and is the most informal of the set. 'Icon' stresses symbolic status and broad cultural recognition beyond a single field — Elvis Presley is a music icon and a pop-culture icon. 'Legend' has an almost mythic quality, suggesting that the person's achievements are so outstanding they seem almost unbelievable ('a living legend of jazz'). 'Celebrity' is the broadest and most media-driven term, referring to anyone well-known to the public regardless of the source of their fame. 'Lion' differs from all four in that it is limited to formal or literary contexts and is almost always paired with a domain ('a lion of the opera'). You would not call a reality TV star 'a lion' — that word demands respected achievement.

giant ↗icon ↗legend ↗celebrity ↗

Etymology

Ancient Egyptian/SemiticGreekLatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'lion' entered English through Old French 'lion', from Latin 'leo' (genitive 'leonis'). Latin borrowed it from Greek 'leon' (λέων), which may have come from an ancient Semitic or Egyptian source — compare Hebrew 'lavi' (לָבִיא) and Egyptian 'rw'. Lions have never lived wild in Europe, so the word travelled along trade and cultural routes from regions where lions naturally existed. Across cultures, the lion has been a symbol of royalty, strength, and courage for thousands of years.