clouded leopard

noun

cloud·​ed leopard ˈklau̇-dəd- How to pronounce clouded leopard (audio)
: either of two medium-sized, often arboreal cats (Neofelis nebulosa of mainland southeast Asia and N. diardi of Borneo and Sumatra) that are grayish to yellowish with darker irregular rings, ovals, and rosettes
… new analysis shows the clouded leopards of Borneo (and also Sumatra) are a bit darker than their mainland cousins, with smaller cloud-shaped markings.—Helen Fields

Examples of clouded leopard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gemma, a clouded leopard, was born in August was once snuggling a lamp plush and bottle feeding on milk. — Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Nov. 2025 The zoo opened in 1997 and hosts a breeding program for the endangered clouded leopard. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 July 2026 The Nashville Zoo is leader in the conservation of clouded leopards. — Rachel Wegner, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 The survey marked the highest elevation record for the common leopard, the clouded leopard and the marble cat, according to the release. — Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clouded leopard

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clouded leopard was in 1903

Rhymes for clouded leopard

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Browse Nearby Words

cloud ear
clouded leopard
clouded sulphur
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Cite this Entry

“Clouded leopard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clouded%20leopard. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on clouded leopard

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clouded leopard

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