cheetah

chee-tah · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A large, slender wild cat (Acinonyx jubatus) native to Africa and parts of Iran, known for being the fastest land animal, capable of running at speeds up to 70 mph (112 km/h).

  2. 2.

    (figurative) A very fast runner or something extremely swift.

Forms

plural: cheetahs

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    fast as a cheetah — extremely fast
  • •
    cheetah print — a spotted pattern resembling cheetah fur

Related words

See also: leopard, lion, tiger, wildlife
Synonyms: hunting leopard (archaic)

Etymology

From Hindi चीता (cītā), ultimately from Sanskrit चित्रकाय (citrakāya), meaning "having a spotted body," from चित्र (citra, "spotted") + काय (kāya, "body"). Entered English in the 17th century.