leap

[ leep ]

verb (used without object)

, leaped or leapt [lept, leept], leap·ing.

1. to spring through the air from one point or position to another; jump:

   to leap over a ditch.

   Synonyms: bound

2. to move or act quickly or suddenly:

   to leap aside; She leaped at the opportunity.

3. to pass, come, rise, etc., as if with a jump:

   to leap to a conclusion; an idea that immediately leaped to mind.

verb (used with object)

, leaped or leapt [lept, leept], leap·ing.

1. to jump over:

   to leap a fence.

2. to pass over as if by a jump.
3. to cause to leap:

   to leap a horse.

noun

1. a spring, jump, or bound; a light, springing movement.
2. the distance covered in a leap; distance jumped.
3. a place leaped or to be leaped over or from.
4. a sudden or abrupt transition:

   a successful leap from piano class to concert hall.

5. a sudden and decisive increase:

   a leap in the company's profits.

leap

/ liːp /

verb

1. intr to jump suddenly from one place to another
2. introften foll byat to move or react quickly
3. tr to jump over
4. to come into prominence rapidly

   the thought leapt into his mind

5. tr to cause (an animal, esp a horse) to jump a barrier

noun

1. the act of jumping
2. a spot from which a leap was or may be made
3. the distance of a leap
4. an abrupt change or increase
5. Also called (US and Canadian)skip music a relatively large melodic interval, esp in a solo part
6. a leap in the dark
   an action performed without knowledge of the consequences
7. by leaps and bounds
   with unexpectedly rapid progress

Derived Forms

• ˈleaper, noun

Other Words From

• leaper noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of leap¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lepen, Old English hlēapan “to leap, run”; cognate with German laufen, Old Norse hlaupa, Gothic hlaupan

Word History and Origins

Origin of leap¹

Old English hlēapan; related to Gothic hlaupan, German laufen

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by leaps and bounds, very rapidly:

   We are progressing by leaps and bounds.

2. leap in the dark, an action of which the consequences are unknown:

   The experiment was a leap in the dark.

3. leap of faith, an act or instance of accepting or trusting in something that cannot readily be seen or proved.

More idioms and phrases containing leap

• by leaps and bounds
• look before you leap
• quantum leap
• jump

Synonym Study

See jump.

Example Sentences

And the magazine had conducted a survey of 578 white Americans, finding that 38% of those who identified as “racial conservatives” said there was ample scientific evidence of climate change — a leap beyond the roughly 23% of Republicans who say they believe it is a threat.

From Salon

Case in point: the leap in Live Nation’s investor confidence after its CFO expressed hope that the government’s antitrust lawsuit would be tossed out soon.

From Slate

The state was simply too large and disparate — physically, psychically — for a lawmaker representing a tiny slice of the landscape to make the leap to statewide success.

From Los Angeles Times

Suaalii then showed off his prodigious vertical leap and 6ft 5in frame as he disrupted Itoje's kick-off reception to put England under more pressure.

From BBC

“After more than twenty years of leadership at three great universities,” Folt wrote to the USC community, “I am excited to embrace the freedom that comes with a next big leap, and to pass the baton to the next president who will be able to build upon our accomplishments and create a new chapter for this extraordinary institution.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ascend
• bounce
• bound
• hop
• rise
• rocket
• skip
• soar
• surge
• vault