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Lion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lion

li-on

🇺🇸 /ˈɫaɪən/ · 🇬🇧 /lˈaɪən/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

wild animal

A large carnivorous feline mammal of Africa and northwest India, with a tawny coat, a shaggy mane, and a deep roar.

Synonyms

big cat, king of the jungle, wild cat.

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Word Description / Examples
lion

This term is typically used when referring to the animal in general situations, including its biology, behavior, and in common language.

  • The lion is known for its majestic mane.
  • Lions live in prides that are led by a dominant male.
king of the jungle

This term is often used in a metaphorical or figurative sense to refer to the lion's perceived dominance and regal status in the animal kingdom. It's often used in literature, speeches, and idioms.

  • The lion, known as the king of the jungle, rules over the Savannah with an iron paw.
  • He was called the king of the jungle for his leadership qualities.
wild cat

This term is used when emphasizing that the lion is a non-domesticated feline species. It can also refer to other felines that are not domesticated, so the context must be clear.

  • As a wild cat, the lion has adapted to hunting and living in the savannah.
  • Tourists are warned to keep their distance from wild cats like lions when on safari.
big cat

This phrase is used to refer to lions in the context of discussing large feline species collectively, which can include other big felines like tigers and leopards.

  • Lions are one of the main attractions in the big cat exhibit at the zoo.
  • Conservationists are working to protect big cats in the wild.

Examples of usage

  • The lion is often referred to as the 'king of the jungle'.
  • Lions usually live in groups called prides.
  • Male lions are easily recognizable by their majestic manes.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “lion”

Lion is a 2-syllable noun (li-on). It is pronounced /ˈɫaɪən/ in American English and /lˈaɪən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #6,132 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'lion'

The word 'lion' originated from Middle English 'lyoun', from Old French 'lion', from Latin 'leo', 'leon-', from Greek 'leōn', 'leon-. Lions have been majestic symbols of power and courage in various cultures throughout history, often associated with royalty and strength.


Rhymes

Lion rhymes with mayan, zion, scion, brian, brion, bryan, bryen and bryon.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,132 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.