cougar
UK: ˈkuːɡə | US: ˈkuːɡər
n. a large wild cat native to the Americas, also known as a puma or mountain lion
n. (slang) an older woman who seeks romantic relationships with younger men
The word "cougar" originates from the Portuguese "çuçuarana," borrowed from the Tupi language (indigenous to Brazil). The term was later adapted into French as "couguar" and then into English as "cougar." The morpheme "coug" has no clear standalone meaning in English, as it derives from a non-Indo-European root. The "-ar" suffix is a common noun ending in English but does not carry independent semantic weight here. The word's evolution reflects colonial linguistic exchange, with its spelling simplified over time.
The cougar silently stalked its prey through the forest.
Wildlife biologists are studying cougar migration patterns in the Rockies.
She was jokingly called a cougar for dating a man 15 years younger.
A cougar's roar is rarely heard but can be terrifying.
Conservation efforts aim to protect the cougar's natural habitat.