What does "puma" mean?
A mountain lion or cougar (Puma concolor).
Puma
/puːmə/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A mountain lion or cougar (Puma concolor).
- Grammar: puma is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: catamount, cougar, mountain lion, panther.
- Useful contrasts: awkward, clumsy, generic.
- Usage evidence: He took great pains in taming a puma.
How to use "puma"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "puma" 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 "puma" 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 "puma" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "puma" 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 "puma" is acting as name, 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 "puma", 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 mountain lion or cougar (Puma concolor).
- 2 An athletic shoe or other piece of athletic gear of a German-based brand of that name.
"Joe Fortune shook his head, swung his legs over the edge of the bunk, and put on his Pumas."
- 3 large American feline resembling a lion wordnet
- 4 Any feline belonging to the genus Puma. broadly
- 5 A woman in her 20s or 30s who seeks relationships with younger men; a younger cougar. slang
"“Younger can be good. How much younger?” Regina asked, inspecting the appetizer plates for any lingering bites. “I don't know,” Alexa said frowning. “Why does that matter?” “Less than eight years makes you a Puma. Over eight years makes you a Cougar,” Regina said wisely, grinning as Lauren nodded excitedly in agreement."
Proper Noun
- 1 A village in the Solomon Islands.
- 2 An administrative ward in the Singida Rural district of Tanzania.
- 3 A Kiranti language spoken in Nepal.
Example
"He took great pains in taming a puma."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "puma"?
Common synonyms include: catamount, cougar, mountain lion, panther, agile, animal.
How do you use "puma" in a sentence?
He took great pains in taming a puma.
How do you pronounce "puma"?
Pronounced /puːmə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Spanish puma, from Quechua puma.
Etymology 2
See puma; the name was chosen to highlight ideas of strength, agility, and grace often associated with the large cat.