jaguar

[ jag-wahr, -yoo-ahr; especially British jag-yoo-er ]

noun

1. a large spotted feline, Panthera onca, of tropical America, having a tawny coat with black rosettes: now greatly reduced in number and endangered in some areas.

jaguar

/ ˈdʒæɡjʊə /

noun

1. a large feline mammal, Panthera onca, of S North America, Central America, and N South America, similar to the leopard but with a shorter tail and larger spots on its coat

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaguar¹

1595–1605; < Portuguese < Tupi jaguara

Word History and Origins

Origin of jaguar¹

C17: from Portuguese, from Tupi jaguara, Guarani yaguara

Example Sentences

There’s no fishing, but wildlife sightings are common, including a very large cat — a black jaguar? — at water’s edge in early October.

From Los Angeles Times

In one movement, she becomes the enchanted voice of a jaguar; in another she channels the song of the toh.

From Los Angeles Times

"The jaguar and the caybara were so curious. They didn't run."

From BBC

Though previously preyed upon by jaguars, the latter have almost disappeared in Argentina, and now the rodents, which reproduce at a high rate, as many rodents do, have increased in population.

From Salon

Lundberg and his diver companion had found fossils in the same place before, including mammoth teeth, bones of an ancient jaguar and parts of a dire wolf.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bobcat
• caracal
• cheetah
• cougar
• leopard
• lion
• lynx
• mountain lion
• ocelot
• panther
• puma
• tiger
• wildcat