Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense leaps, present participle leaping, past tense leaped, past participle leaptlanguage note: British English usually uses the form leapt as the past tense and past participle. American English usually uses leaped.
1. verb
If you leap, you jump high in the air or jump a long distance.
He had leapt from a window in the building and escaped. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The newsreels show him leaping into the air. [VERB preposition/adverb]
The man threw his arms out as he leapt. [VERB]
Synonyms: jump, spring, bound, bounce More Synonyms of leap
Leap is also a noun.
He won the championship with a leap of 2.37 metres. [+ of]
2. verb
If you leap somewhere, you move there suddenly and quickly.
The two men leaped into the jeep and roared off. [VERB preposition/adverb]
With a terrible howl, he leapt forward and threw himself into the water. [VERB preposition/adverb]
3. verb
If a vehicle leaps somewhere, it moves there in a short sudden movement.
The car leapt forward. [VERB adverb/preposition]
4. countable noun
A leap is a large and important change, increase, or advance.
[journalism]
The result has been a giant leap in productivity. [+ in]
...the leap in the unemployed from 35,000 to 75,000. [+ from]
Contemporary art has taken a huge leap forward in the last five or six years.
Synonyms: rise, change, increase, soaring More Synonyms of leap
5. verb
If you leapto a particular place or position, you make a large and important change, increase,or advance.
The team leapt to 12th in the table. [VERB preposition]
Synonyms: increase, advance, soar, surge More Synonyms of leap
6. verb
If you say that your heart leaps, you mean that you experience a sudden, very strong feeling of surprise, fear, or happiness.
[literary]
My heart leaped at the sight of her. [VERB]
7. verb
If you leapat a chance or opportunity, you accept it quickly and eagerly.
The post of principal of the theatre school became vacant and he leapt at the chance. [VERB + at]
8.
See leaps and bounds
9.
See leap in the dark
More Synonyms of leap
leap in British English
(liːp)
verbWord forms: leaps, leaping, leapt or leaped
1. (intransitive)
to jump suddenly from one place to another
2. (intransitive; often foll byat)
to move or react quickly
3. (transitive)
to jump over
4.
to come into prominence rapidly
the thought leapt into his mind
5. (transitive)
to cause (an animal, esp a horse) to jump a barrier
noun
6.
the act of jumping
7.
a spot from which a leap was or may be made
8.
the distance of a leap
9.
an abrupt change or increase
10. Also called (US and Canadian): skip music
a relatively large melodic interval, esp in a solo part
11. a leap in the dark
12. by leaps and bounds
Derived forms
leaper (ˈleaper)
noun
Word origin
Old English hlēapan; related to Gothic hlaupan, German laufen
leap in American English
(lip)
verb intransitiveWord forms: leapt (lɛpt; lipt) or lept or leaped, ˈleaping
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
verb transitive
4.
to pass over by a jump
5.
to cause or force to leap
to leap a horse over a wall
noun
6.
the act of leaping; jump; spring
7.
the distance covered in a jump
8.
a place that is, or is to be, leapt over or from
9.
a sudden transition
Idioms:
by leaps and bounds
leap in the dark
Derived forms
leaper (ˈleaper)
noun
Word origin
ME lepen < OE hleapan, akin to MDu lopen, Ger laufen
More idioms containing
leap
a leap in the dark
Examples of 'leap' in a sentence
leap
The snow leopard cub padded into view and ten million hearts leapt.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now tools are emerging that take a giant leap forward.
Computing (2010)
That leap may not prove as outlandish as it sounds.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We need another great leap forward in our thinking.
The Sun (2016)
In part it feels like a leap in the dark.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But take this leap with me.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You can't make massive leaps forward unless you think that way.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
No one's heart leaps at the unexpected scented candle.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If America took that path, it would be a leap into the unknown.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet some regions have seen a huge leap in the number of homes on sale over the past year, according to Home.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The huge leaps for mankind were dogged by catastrophic failures.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To other people they may be insignificant little jumps but to us they are great leaps.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
South closed proceedings with a majestic leap to four hearts.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We felt we were leaping into the unknown.
The Sun (2009)
Yet local cops quickly leapt on the findings.
The Sun (2008)
The unofficial sport of base jumping involves leaping from high structures with a parachute.
The Sun (2006)
It would mean a huge leap forward in my career.
The Sun (2008)
He decided to take a crazy leap.
Christianity Today (2000)
They ask us to make a leap in the dark.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That is largely due to huge leaps in technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
That is the next great intellectual leap.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
The Sun (2006)
We are not going to take a great leap into the unknown.
The Sun (2016)
It is also about taking a great leap forward into the era of modern technology.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
And he leaped into the air while he was still quite a few feet away from his opponent.
The Sun (2006)
He gives each of them a high chance of leaping out of their seat and marching to the stage in triumph.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Did you leap at the chance?
Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)
These giant leaps aren't some distant dream.
The Sun (2013)
You experience no little leap of the heart upon remembering it's parked outside.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In Beijing we leapt to fourth place in the medal table.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Eight short steps for a woman, one giant leap for the soul of the disabled.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This is a quantum jump or leap, and it is a very small distance indeed.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It's the same on the inside, where owners will experience a big leap up the quality ladder.
The Sun (2009)
Lock may leap at the chance to wrestle an alligator, but not all comedians want to embrace their inner Neanderthal.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
leap
British English: leap /liːp/ VERB
If you leap, you jump high in the air or jump a long distance.
He had leapt from a window in the building and escaped.
American English: leap
Arabic: يَثِبُ
Brazilian Portuguese: saltar
Chinese: 跳
Croatian: skočiti
Czech: skočit
Danish: springe
Dutch: springen
European Spanish: saltar
Finnish: hypähtää
French: bondir
German: springen
Greek: αναπηδώ
Italian: saltare
Japanese: 跳ねる
Korean: 뛰다
Norwegian: hoppe
Polish: przeskoczyć
European Portuguese: saltar
Romanian: a sări
Russian: прыгать
Latin American Spanish: saltar
Swedish: språng
Thai: กระโดด
Turkish: sıçramak
Ukrainian: стрибати
Vietnamese: nhảy
All related terms of 'leap'
leap day
February 29: the extra day added to the Gregorian calendar in a leap year
leap year
A leap year is a year which has 366 days. The extra day is the 29th February. There is a leap year every four years.
leap second
a second added to or removed from a scale for reckoning time on one particular occasion , to synchronize it with another scale
quantum leap
a sudden highly significant advance ; breakthrough
leap of faith
If you take a leap of faith , you do something even though you are not sure it is right or will succeed .
Great Leap Forward
→ the Great Leap Forward
leap in the dark
If you take a leap in the dark or a leap into the unknown , you do something without having any previous experience in that activity or knowledge of it.
a leap in the dark
a situation in which you do not know what the results of an action will be, usually when you feel you have no other choice but to take this course of action
the Great Leap Forward
the attempt by the People's Republic of China in 1959–60 to solve the country's economic problems by labour-intensive industrialization
to take a leap of faith
to risk belief
Chinese translation of 'leap'
leap
(liːp)
Word forms:ptppleapedleapt
n(c)
(= jump) 跳 (tiào)
(= increase) (in price, number etc) 激增 (jīzēng)
vi
(= jump) 跳 (tiào)
to leap into/onto sth迅速跳进(進)/上某物 (xùnsù tiàojìn/shàng mǒwù)
(= increase)[price, number etc]激增 (jīzēng)
to take a leap of faith碰运(運)气(氣) (pèng yùnqi)
by or in leaps and bounds突飞(飛)猛进(進)地 (tū fēi měng jìn de)
my heart leapt (with happiness) 我的心狂跳不已 (wǒ de xīn kuáng tiào bùyǐ) (with fear) 我的心突突直跳 (wǒ de xīn tūtū zhí tiào)
All related terms of 'leap'
leap at
( offer, chance ) 迫不及待地接受 pò bù jí dài de jiēshòu
leap up
( person ) 一跃(躍)而起 yī yuè ér qǐ
leap year
闰(閏)年 rùnnián [ 个(個) gè ]
to leap into/onto sth
迅速跳进(進)/上某物 xùnsù tiàojìn/shàng mǒwù
to take a leap of faith
碰运(運)气(氣) pèng yùnqi
1 (verb)
Definition
to jump suddenly from one place to another
The newsreels show him leaping into the air.
Synonyms
jump
stamping their boots and jumping up and down to knock the snow off
spring
bound
bounce
Moira bounced into the office.
hop
I hopped down three steps.
skip
She was skipping along the pavement.
caper
The children were capering about, shouting and laughing.
cavort
children cavorting on the sand
frisk
creatures that grunted and frisked about
gambol
children gambolling in the fields
2 (verb)
Definition
to jump over
He leapt over a wall brandishing a weapon.
Synonyms
vault
Ned vaulted over the low wall.
clear
The horse cleared the fence by several inches.
jump
She jumped to her feet and ran downstairs.
bound
He bounded up the steps and pushed the bell of the door.
spring
The lion roared once and sprang.
3 (verb)
Definition
to move or react quickly
She leapt forward to take control of the situation.
Synonyms
hurry
the President's attempt to hurry the process of independence
race
They raced away out of sight.
rush
Someone inside the building rushed out.
hasten
She hastened along the landing to her room.
move quickly
4 (verb)
Definition
to move or react quickly
People should not leap to conclusions and blame the pilot.
Synonyms
rush
jump
Two guys jumped me with clubs in the car park.
come
The water came to his chest.
reach
He did not stop until he reached the door.
arrive at
hurry
Claire hurried along the road.
hasten
form hastily
5 (verb)
They leapt to third in the table, 31 points behind the leaders.
Synonyms
increase
The population continues to increase.
advance
soar
soaring unemployment
surge
Surging imports will add to the demand for hard currency.
rocket
Fresh food is so scarce that prices have rocketed sharply.
escalate
Unions and management fear the dispute could escalate.
shoot up
Sales shot up by 9% last month.
1 (noun)
Definition
the act of jumping
He took the silver medal with a leap of 2.37 metres.
Synonyms
jump
With a few hops and a jump they launched themselves into the air.
spring
bound
With one bound Jack was free.
hop
`This is a catchy rhythm,' he added with a few hops.
skip
vault
caper
frisk
2 (noun)
Definition
an abrupt or important change or increase
The result has been a giant leap in productivity.
Synonyms
rise
the prospect of another rise in interest rates
change
increase
a sharp increase in productivity
soaring
surge
a new surge of interest in Dylan's work
escalation
a sudden escalation of unrest in the south-eastern region
upsurge
an upsurge in oil prices
upswing
phrasal verb
See leap at something
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bounce
Definition
to move or cause to move suddenly
Moira bounced into the office.
Synonyms
bound,
spring,
jump,
leap,
skip,
caper,
prance,
gambol,
jounce
in the sense of bound
Definition
to bounce
He bounded up the steps and pushed the bell of the door.
Synonyms
leap,
bob,
spring,
jump,
bounce,
skip,
vault,
pounce
in the sense of bound
Definition
a jump upwards or forwards
With one bound Jack was free.
Synonyms
leap,
bob,
spring,
jump,
bounce,
hurdle,
skip,
vault,
pounce,
caper,
prance,
lope,
frisk,
gambol
Synonyms of 'leap'
leap
Explore 'leap' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of caper
Definition
to skip about light-heartedly
The children were capering about, shouting and laughing.
Synonyms
dance,
trip,
spring,
jump,
bound,
leap,
bounce,
hop,
skip,
romp,
frolic,
cavort,
frisk,
gambol
in the sense of cavort
Definition
to skip about
children cavorting on the sand
Synonyms
frolic,
sport,
romp,
caper,
prance,
frisk,
gambol,
caracole
in the sense of clear
Definition
to move or pass by or over without contact
The horse cleared the fence by several inches.
Synonyms
pass over,
jump,
leap,
vault,
miss
in the sense of come
Definition
to reach a specified point, state, or situation
The water came to his chest.
Synonyms
reach,
extend
in the sense of escalate
Definition
to increase or be increased in size, seriousness, or intensity
Unions and management fear the dispute could escalate.
Synonyms
grow,
increase,
extend,
intensify,
expand,
surge,
be increased,
mount,
heighten
in the sense of escalation
a sudden escalation of unrest in the south-eastern region
Synonyms
increase,
rise,
build-up,
expansion,
heightening,
developing,
acceleration,
upsurge,
intensification,
amplification
in the sense of frisk
Definition
to leap, move about, or act in a playful manner
creatures that grunted and frisked about
Synonyms
frolic,
play,
sport,
dance,
trip,
jump,
bounce,
hop,
skip,
romp,
caper,
prance,
cavort,
gambol,
rollick,
curvet
in the sense of gambol
Definition
to jump about playfully
children gambolling in the fields
Synonyms
frolic,
jump,
hop,
skip,
romp,
lark,
caper,
prance,
cavort,
frisk,
curvet,
cut a caper
in the sense of hasten
She hastened along the landing to her room.
Synonyms
rush,
run,
race,
fly,
speed,
tear (along),
dash,
hurry (up),
barrel (along) (informal),
sprint,
bolt,
beetle,
scuttle,
scurry,
haste,
burn rubber (informal),
step on it (informal),
make haste,
get your skates on (informal)
in the sense of hop
Definition
to jump over something
I hopped down three steps.
Synonyms
jump,
spring,
bound,
leap,
skip,
vault,
caper
Additional synonyms
in the sense of hop
Definition
an instance of hopping
`This is a catchy rhythm,' he added with a few hops.
Synonyms
jump,
step,
spring,
bound,
leap,
bounce,
skip,
vault
in the sense of race
Definition
to travel as fast as possible
They raced away out of sight.
Synonyms
run,
fly,
career,
speed,
tear,
dash,
hurry,
barrel (along) (informal),
dart,
gallop,
zoom,
hare (British, informal),
hasten,
burn rubber (informal),
go like a bomb (British, New Zealand, informal),
run like mad (informal)
in the sense of reach
Definition
to arrive at or get to (a place)
He did not stop until he reached the door.
Synonyms
arrive at,
get to,
make it to,
get as far as,
make,
hit,
attain,
land at,
end up at
in the sense of rocket
Definition
to increase rapidly
Fresh food is so scarce that prices have rocketed sharply.
Synonyms
escalate,
rise,
soar,
spiral,
shoot up,
increase dramatically,
go through the roof
in the sense of shoot up
Definition
to grow or increase rapidly
Sales shot up by 9% last month.
Synonyms
increase,
grow,
expand,
go up,
mount,
multiply,
snowball
in the sense of skip
Definition
to move lightly by hopping from one foot to the other
She was skipping along the pavement.
Synonyms
hop,
dance,
bob,
trip,
bounce,
caper,
prance,
cavort,
frisk,
gambol
in the sense of soar
Definition
to rise or increase suddenly above the usual level
soaring unemployment
Synonyms
rise,
increase,
grow,
mount,
climb,
go up,
rocket,
swell,
escalate,
shoot up
in the sense of spring
Definition
to return or be returned into natural shape from a forced position by elasticity
The lion roared once and sprang.
Synonyms
jump,
bound,
leap,
bounce,
hop,
rebound,
vault,
recoil
in the sense of spring
Definition
a leap or jump
Synonyms
jump,
bound,
leap,
buck,
hop,
vault,
saltation
in the sense of surge
Definition
to increase quickly and strongly
Surging imports will add to the demand for hard currency.