What does bobcat mean?
The bobcat is a medium-sized wild cat native to North America, scientifically known as Lynx rufus. Named for its characteristically short, 'bobbed' tail, it has reddish-brown or tawny fur marked with dark spots and streaks, pointed ears with subtle tufts, and a distinctive ruff of fur around its face. Bobcats are highly adaptable predators, occupying habitats ranging from forests and deserts to swamps and even suburban fringes, where they prey mainly on rabbits, rodents, and birds. Roughly twice the size of a domestic cat, they are solitary and elusive, though their populations are robust throughout much of the United States, Mexico, and southern Canada. The word functions as a common noun and is frequently used in wildlife reporting, conservation discussions, and everyday accounts of sightings. Its familiarity in American English makes it a useful term for anyone writing about North American fauna.
nounA small North American wild cat (Lynx rufus) with a short, stubby tail, tufted ears, and a spotted or tawny coat. It is the most widespread wild feline native to the continental United States.
- A small North American wild cat (Lynx rufus) with a short tail and tufted ears.
"A bobcat was spotted at dawn near the edge of the hiking trail, its stubby tail flicking before it slipped into the brush."
"Ranchers reported that a bobcat had been preying on chickens near the barn."
"Though rarely seen, bobcats thrive in suburban woodlands across much of the United States."
Standard regular plural; used both for multiple animals and generically ('bobcats are crepuscular hunters').
"Bobcats are most active at dawn and dusk."
The bobcat's name comes from its 'bobbed' — that is, cut-short-looking — tail, which is only about four inches long.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bobcat
The word bobcat is a compound formed from 'bob,' an English word meaning short or cut short, applied to the animal's conspicuously stumpy tail, combined with 'cat.' The term arose in American English, with recorded uses dating back to the late eighteenth century, when European settlers encountered the animal and noted its abbreviated tail. It shares this root with related formations such as 'bobtail' and 'bobbed,' all drawing on the same sense of 'bob' as something shortened.
How bobcat is actually used
The word is standard and neutral in register. In American English it refers specifically to Lynx rufus; British usage typically appears in reference to North American wildlife. It should not be confused with the domestic tabby cat despite occasional folk use.
Easily confused with bobcat
The bobcat is a specific species within the lynx genus (Lynx rufus), smaller than the Canada lynx and distinguished by its shorter tail and more spotted coat.