26984 words

leap

11 definitions • 21 examples
1
to make a large jump or sudden movement, usually from one place to another:

Examples:

He leaped out of his car and ran towards the house.
I leaped up to answer the phone.
The dog leaped over the gate into the field.
2
to provide help, protection, etc. very quickly:

Examples:

He leaped to his friend's defence.
Scott leapt to the rescue when he spotted the youngster in difficulty.
Mr Davies leaped in to explain.
3

Examples:

He leapt to fame after his appearance in a Broadway play.
4
to increase, improve, or grow very quickly:

Examples:

Shares in the company leaped 250 percent.
5
a big change, increase, or improvement:

Examples:

a leap in profits
It takes quite a leap of the imagination to believe that it's the same person.
6

Examples:

With one leap he crossed the stream.
7
to make a large jump or sudden movement, or to jump over something:

Examples:

[ I ] He leaps to his feet when the phone rings.
[ I ] Flames were leaping into the sky.
[ T ] The dog leaped the fence.
[ I ] fig. Americans want change, but they don’t want to leap into the unknown (= move quickly into unknown situations).
8
If your heart leaps, you have a sudden, strong feeling of pleasure or fear:

Examples:

[ I ] My heart leaps when I hear his voice.
9
10
to increase, improve, or grow very quickly:

Examples:

exports/prices/profits leap Property prices have leapt over 30% in the past year.
leap (to sth) The company's shares leapt 17.5p to 210p.
11
a big change, increase, or improvement:

Examples:

a leap in costs/profits/sales The software designer should report a near 40% leap in profits to around £124m.
a leap forward for sb/sth This launch represents a great leap forward for the company.
a 20%/40%/75%, etc. leap The health insurance giant reported a 20% leap in pre-tax profits for the year.

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