What's the past tense of "leap"?
The simple past tense of leap can be either leaped or leapt, and the past participle is also leaped or leapt. US English prefers "leaped" while UK English favors "leapt."
Definition of leap
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, leap means "to jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force." It's used to describe sudden, powerful movements that propel someone or something through the air.
- The past tense of leap is leaped or leapt.
- The past participle of leap is leaped or leapt.
Verb forms of 'leap'
Is "leap" a regular or irregular verb?
The verb leap is irregular. It has two acceptable past tense and present or past perfect), which is more common in British English.
When to use "leaped" vs. "leapt"
The horse leaped over the fence. (US preference)
The cat had leapt onto the roof. (UK preference)
Both forms are grammatically correct for simple past tense and present or past perfect), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so either form can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.
Similar irregular verbs
Sentence examples: leap, leaped/leapt, leaped/leapt
• I leap over the puddles on rainy days.
• The cat leaps from the couch to the windowsill.
• They leap at every opportunity to help.
• He leaped for joy when he heard the good news.
• A dolphin leapt out of the water.
• The frog leaped over the log.
• The horse had leapt a five-foot wall.
• He has leaped to conclusions before.
• They have leapt at the chance to travel abroad.
Idioms with "leap"
Leap at the chance/opportunity
Leap of faith
Look before you leap
Leap to conclusions
By leaps and bounds
Origin of the word leap
c. 1200, from Old English hleapan “to jump, spring clear of the ground by force of an initial bound; run, go; dance, leap upon (a horse)” from Proto-Germanic *hlaupanan.
Practice questions: Leaped or leapt
The dancer ______ gracefully across the stage.
He had ______ to a conclusion without knowing all the facts.
The cat suddenly ______ onto the countertop.
She ______ out of bed as soon as the alarm went off.
I ______ at the opportunity to work abroad.
FAQs
Is "leaped" or "leapt" correct?
What's the past participle of "leap"?
Is "leap" a regular or irregular verb?
How is "leap" used in different tenses?
What are common idioms with "leap"?
Sources
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"Leap." Oxford Learner's Dictionaries. Oxford University Press. Date of access 15 Oct. 2025.
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"Leap." Etymology Online. Douglas Harper. Date of access 15 Oct. 2025.
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"Leap." Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. 2015. Farlex, Inc. Date of access 15 Oct. 2025. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/leap
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