- 1[intransitive, transitive] to jump high or a long way + adv./prep. A dolphin leaped out of the water. We leaped over the stream. leap something The horse leaped a five-foot wall.
- 2[intransitive] + adv./prep. to move or do something suddenly and quickly She leaped out of bed. He leaped across the room to answer the door. I leaped to my feet (= stood up quickly). They leaped into action immediately. (figurative) She was quick to leap to my defense (= speak in support of me). The photo seemed to leap off the page (= it got your attention immediately). His name leaped out at me (= I saw it immediately).
- 3[intransitive] leap (in something) (from…) (to…) to increase suddenly and by a large amount synonym shoot up Shares leaped in value yesterday. Idioms
leap
verbNAmE//lip//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they leap he / she / it leaps
past simple leapt
past simple leaped
-ing form leaping
used to say that someone has a sudden feeling of happiness or excitement My heart leapt at the news.
to make a decision about someone or something too quickly, before you know or have thought about all the facts There I go again—jumping to conclusions.
used to advise someone to think about the possible results or dangers of something before doing it Phrasal Verbsleap at
Check pronunciation: leap