panther

IPA/ˈpænθə(r)/
KK[pˈænθɚ]IPA/ˈpænθər/

panther — noun

  • panthersingular
  • panthersplural

1. a leopard whose fur looks black instead of the usual spotted yellow coat

1.nounB2
Definition

a leopard whose fur looks black instead of the usual spotted yellow coat

Example

Eshe photographed a panther drinking by the river at dusk.

The panther's black fur almost disappeared among the wet trees.

visual cue: black fur in dark cover

Common collocations
  • black panther
  • panther cub
  • panther track
Synonyms
  • leopard

    the exact animal name; panther often suggests the dark-coloured form

  • big cat

    a broader label that also includes lions, tigers, and jaguars

Usage Note

Usually the default meaning in general English. Distinguish from sense 2 and sense 3, which name different American big cats.

2. in North American use, a large wild cat like a mountain lion, with a plain tan o

2.nounB2
Definition

in North American use, a large wild cat like a mountain lion, with a plain tan or grey coat

Example

Rangers warned hikers that a panther had been seen near the canyon.

passive: had been seen near [place]

A panther jumped over the fence and vanished into the dry hills.

Common collocations
  • Florida panther
  • panther sighting
Synonyms
  • cougar

    the most exact everyday name for this animal

  • mountain lion

    another common North American name, especially in news or wildlife writing

  • puma

    a more international or scientific label

Usage Note

Common in North American English. Distinguish from sense 1 for a black leopard and sense 3 for a jaguar.

3. in some American use, a jaguar, the large spotted wild cat of Central and South

3.nounB2
Definition

in some American use, a jaguar, the large spotted wild cat of Central and South America

Example

The guide pointed to a panther resting beside the muddy Amazon bank.

A young panther slipped through the grass before the boat came closer.

Common collocations
  • Amazon panther
  • panther track
Synonyms
  • jaguar

    the exact species name; panther is a looser regional label

  • big cat

    a much broader term that does not identify the species

Usage Note

Used mainly in Central and South American contexts. Distinguish from sense 1 for a black leopard and sense 2 for a cougar.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Panther is less exact than leopard, jaguar, cougar, or puma. In everyday use, it often means a black leopard, especially in stories, films, or zoo writing. In North American English, however, it can also mean a cougar, and in some parts of Central or South America it may refer to a jaguar. If you want the clearest animal name, choose leopard, cougar, or jaguar instead. Use panther when the context already makes the species clear, or when a broad dramatic label is enough. A wildlife guide is more likely to say We saw a jaguar by the river, while a film poster may simply promise a panther in the jungle.

leopard ↗jaguar ↗cougar ↗puma ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • panther habitat
  • panther population
  • panther cub

Phrases

  • see a panther in the wild
  • protect panther habitat

Etymology

GreekLatinOld FrenchEnglish

English panther came through Old French from Latin panthera, which came from Greek panther. The word has long worked as a general name for a large cat, which helps explain why modern English can use it for more than one animal.