leap
leap Lexical Profile
leap Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A forceful jump or quick spring through the air, or the distance covered by such a movement.
"The dancer executed a graceful leap across the center of the stage."
A sudden, dramatic, or significant transition, increase, or advance in progress, value, or understanding.
"The discovery of penicillin represented a monumental leap forward for modern medicine."
• verb
To jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.
"The salmon must leap over the rocky rapids to reach their upstream spawning grounds."
To move quickly, eagerly, or suddenly to seize an opportunity or take action.
"Several technology firms are expected to leap at the chance to acquire the new patent."
To increase suddenly and dramatically in amount, price, or value.
"Shares in the renewable energy company leapt by fifteen percent following the quarterly report."
Word Nuance & Usage
Both regular ('leaped') and irregular ('leapt', pronounced with a short 'e') past tense and past participle forms are accepted in standard English, with 'leaped' being more common in American English and 'leapt' preferred in British English.
• Rhymes for leap
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'hlēapan' (to jump, run, or dance), derived from Proto-Germanic '*hlaupaną', making it a direct cognate with German 'laufen' (to run) and Dutch 'lopen' (to walk).