What does "cougar" mean?
A wild feline, of species Puma concolor, native to the Americas.
Cougar
/ˈkuɡɚ/ noun, slang
noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A wild feline, of species Puma concolor, native to the Americas.
- Grammar: cougar is listed as noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma.
- Useful contrasts: domestic cat, younger woman.
- Usage evidence: Sami tried to scare the cougar away.
How to use "cougar"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cougar" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cougar" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cougar" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cougar" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "cougar" is acting as noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "catamount" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "cougar", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A wild feline, of species Puma concolor, native to the Americas.
"They are found in Brasil, Paraguay, and in the country of the Amazons; and there is reason to believe that the animal, described by some travellers, under the name of the Ocorome, in Peru, is the same as the cougar, as well as that in the country of the Iroquois, which has been considered as a tiger, thought it is neither striped like that animal, nor spotted like the panther."
- 2 A student or alumnus of the Washington State University. slang
"The most helpful part of having a Washington State MBA is using the Cougar connection. Boeing is the most common example; you can always find a Cougar at Boeing who is in the department you're interested in. Once a Coug always a Coug."
- 3 large American feline resembling a lion wordnet
- 4 An older woman who actively seeks the casual, often sexual, companionship of younger men, by implication a female “sexual predator”. Canada, US, derogatory, slang
"A cougar approached Warren at the Palomino Club and asked for a dance."
Antonyms
domestic catyounger woman
Example
"Sami tried to scare the cougar away."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "cougar"?
Common synonyms include: catamount, mountain lion, panther, puma, animal, antelope.
How do you use "cougar" in a sentence?
Sami tried to scare the cougar away.
How do you pronounce "cougar"?
Pronounced /ˈkuɡɚ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From French couguar, from Portuguese cuguardo, a deformation of Brazilian Portuguese suçuarana (earlier çuçuarana), from Old Tupi sûasuarana.
Etymology 2
In reference to the Washington State Cougars, one of the university's sports teams.