leap Hear it!

leap Definition

leap (lēp)

intransitive verb leaptlept, lēpt or lept or leaped, leap′·ing

  1. to move oneself suddenly from the ground, etc. by using one's leg muscles; jump; spring
  2. to move suddenly or swiftly, as if by jumping; bound
  3. to accept eagerly something offered: with at to leap at a chance

Etymology: ME lepen < OE hleapan, akin to MDu lopen, Ger laufen

transitive verb

  1. to pass over by a jump
  2. to cause or force to leap to leap a horse over a wall

noun

  1. the act of leaping; jump; spring
  2. the distance covered in a jump
  3. a place that is, or is to be, leapt over or from
  4. a sudden transition

leap Related Forms
leap′er noun
leap Idioms

by leaps and bounds

very rapidly

leap in the dark

an act that is risky because its consequences cannot be foreseen

leap Synonyms

leap

v.

spring, vault, bound; see bounce 2, jump 1.

leap Usage Examples

Object

  • salmon: He talked of trout and Tweed, Tay and Teviot, Highland lochs and leaping salmon.

Preposition: on

  • bandwagon: Our institutions are currently leaping on a bandwidth bandwagon.

Adjective modifier

  • giant: Thirty years ago, getting to the Moon was a giant leap into the unknown.
  • imaginative: Some of the most important like quantum theory have required great imaginative leaps.
  • prodigious: One good judge declared that this prodigious leap won him the race.
  • huge: Hence the huge leap in the reported encounters with Grays.
  • evolutionary: The betting and gaming industry has taken an evolutionary leap in recent years.
  • sudden: From the bald assertion of her husband's guilt, Lois Jenkins makes a sudden leap to unexplained hints.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • across: When he reached the gap he gave it one brief glance and leaped across.

Preposition: into

  • fray: However, before you leap into the investment fray, take time to visit Budapest for yourself.
  • unknown: Thirty years ago, getting to the Moon was a giant leap into the unknown.

Modifies a noun

  • frog: With system changes you would update these in a " leap frog " manner.

Noun used with modifier

  • quantum: A quantum leap in artistic terms for Scott, every song a winner.
  • salmon: Day Two First stop is Rogie Falls for a forest walk to the waterfall where salmon leap ( in season ).

Particle object:

  • waterfall: In Autumn Sea Trout and Salmon leap up the waterfall to higher spawning grounds.

Preposition: of

  • faith: However, we are being asked to take a leap of faith with the Bill.
  • imagination: These are the scenes where the CEO role makes most sense, with a little leap of imagination.
  • logic: We think that the ombudsman made a leap of logic that is not justified by the evidence.

Preposition: for

  • mankind: The abandonment of the search for certainty was a giant leap for mankind.
  • joy: His heart missed a beat and leaped for joy as he saw with his eyes God's salvation.
leap Quotes

That's one small step for a man, one giant leap forward for mankind.

—Armstrong, Neil A(lden)

The mythical America†öthat marvellous, heroic, sentimental landöwas an object of faith. It challenged you to make the believer's leap over the rude facts at your feet.

—Raban,Jonathan