cougar
B2Formal for the animal; informal/slang for the human sense.
Definition
Meaning
A large, powerful wild cat native to the Americas, also known as puma or mountain lion.
Informal term for an older woman who seeks romantic or sexual relationships with significantly younger men.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The animal sense is zoological/neutral. The human sense is colloquial, often used in media/pop culture, and can be considered derogatory or humorous depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The animal is not native to the UK, so the term is less common in British everyday conversation. The slang sense is understood but less frequent in the UK than in North America.
Connotations
In the US, the slang sense is widely recognized from popular culture. In the UK, it may be seen as an Americanism.
Frequency
Much more frequent in American English due to the animal's habitat and the slang's cultural penetration.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The cougar [verb]...A cougar was spotted [prepositional phrase]...She is considered a cougar.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the prowl (used with the slang sense)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Potentially in tourism (e.g., 'cougar watching tours').
Academic
Used in biology, zoology, and conservation studies.
Everyday
Common for the animal in North America. The slang is used in informal social contexts.
Technical
Used in wildlife biology and ecology (Puma concolor).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The term is not used as a verb in standard British English.
American English
- Informally, one might say 'She's cougaring again,' but this is non-standard and very colloquial.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not used as an adjective.
American English
- The non-standard 'cougar bar' (a bar where such women might go).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cougar is a big cat.
- I saw a picture of a cougar.
- Cougars live in the mountains of North America.
- Some people are afraid of cougars.
- Wildlife officials tracked the cougar that had wandered into the suburb.
- The documentary explored the controversial slang term 'cougar' for older women dating younger men.
- Conservation efforts for the cougar, or Puma concolor, are complicated by its vast territorial range.
- The film's portrayal of the so-called 'cougar' character relied heavily on tired stereotypes rather than nuanced character development.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COUGAR: A COOl GUy AttRacts her (for the slang sense).
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A PREDATORY ANIMAL (for the slang sense).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'кугар' (non-existent). The animal is 'пума' or 'горный лев'. The slang has no direct equivalent; it's a cultural concept.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'couger'. Using the slang sense in formal writing. Assuming the slang sense is universally positive or neutral.
Practice
Quiz
In informal American English, what does 'cougar' often refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to a woman, it can be perceived as derogatory, humorous, or empowering depending on context and the individual's perspective. It's best used with caution.
They are different common names for the same species, Puma concolor. 'Cougar' and 'mountain lion' are most common in North America; 'puma' is used globally.
Not in standard English. Informal, playful usage like 'to cougar' (to behave like a 'cougar' in the slang sense) exists but is non-standard.
Yes, that is its standard English name, but as it is not a native British animal, the word is less frequent in everyday UK conversation than in North America.
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