lion

Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪən/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
  2. noun a celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)
  3. noun (astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo

Etymology

From Middle English lyoun, lion, leon, borrowed from Old French lion, from Latin leō, (accusative: leōnem), from Ancient Greek λέων (léōn), of unclear origin. Doublet of Leo, leu, lev, and Lyon. Displaced Old English lēo, from the same Latin source.

In classic literature

Synonyms

king of beasts, Panthera leo

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
big cat
Narrower (hyponyms)
lion cub, lionet, lioness

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