Leap vs. Bound: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Leap" is a long or forceful jump, while "Bound" is a springing jump forward or upward, often with energy or enthusiasm.
Key Differences
"Leap" usually signifies a forceful jump, possibly over a long distance or high obstacle, demonstrating a physical movement requiring strength or effort. In contrast, "Bound" typically involves a springing motion, denoting both agility and enthusiasm, a jump that's lively or energetic.
"Leap" suggests a movement that can imply taking risks or making a significant change without certainty, whereas "Bound" often conveys more of an energetic action, possibly repetitive, and usually in an upward or forward direction, showing vigor or excitement.
"Leap" can be used metaphorically to describe a sudden transition or increase, such as a "leap in progress," highlighting a considerable change from one point to another. "Bound," however, is often used more literally, referring to the physical action of jumping, though it can also mean moving quickly in a particular direction.
"Leap" is often used in expressions like "leap of faith," indicating a decision made without complete assurance. "Bound," on the other hand, is frequently associated with bounding movements of animals, showing vitality and speed.
Both "Leap" and "Bound" imply motion, but the context of "Leap" is generally broader, including both physical jumps and metaphorical advances or changes, while "Bound" usually refers to enthusiastic, energetic, or fast movements, less often used metaphorically.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Long or high jump, risk-taking
Energetic, lively jump
Usage
Both literal and metaphorical
Primarily literal, sometimes directional
Energy
Requires effort, often serious
Implies enthusiasm, vigor
Contextual Emphasis
Significant change, distance, or height
Speed, agility, excitement
Expressions
Used in various expressions
Less commonly used in expressions
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Leap and Bound Definitions
Leap
To move quickly and suddenly.
The cat leapt off the windowsill.
Bound
To spring back from a surface in a lively manner.
The ball bounded off the wall.
Leap
A dramatic or large increase.
There was a significant leap in profits this quarter.
Bound
Moving with leaps or springs.
She moved in a quick, bound motion.
Leap
To propel oneself quickly upward or a long way; spring or jump
The goat leaped over the wall. The salmon leapt across the barrier.
Bound
To leap forward or upward; jump; spring
The dog bounded over the gate.
Leap
To move quickly or suddenly
Leaped out of his chair to answer the door.
Bound
To move forward by leaps or springs
The deer bounded into the woods.
Leap
To change quickly or abruptly from one condition or subject to another
Always leaping to conclusions.
Bound
To spring back from a surface; rebound
The basketball bounded off the backboard.
Leap
To act quickly or impulsively
Leaped at the opportunity to travel.
Bound
To set a limit to; confine
A high wall that bounded the prison yard.
Lives that were bounded by poverty.
Leap
To enter eagerly into an activity; plunge
Leapt into the project with both feet.
Bound
To constitute the boundary or limit of
A city park that was bounded by busy streets.
Leap
To propel oneself over
I couldn't leap the brook.
Bound
To identify the boundaries of; demarcate.
Leap
To cause to leap
She leapt her horse over the hurdle.
Bound
To border on another place, state, or country.
Leap
The act of leaping; a jump.
Bound
Past tense and past participle of bind.
Leap
A place jumped over or from.
Bound
A leap; a jump
The deer was away in a single bound.
Leap
The distance cleared in a leap.
Bound
A springing back from a surface after hitting it; a bounce
Caught the ball on the bound.
Leap
An abrupt or precipitous passage, shift, or transition
A leap from rags to riches.
Bound
Often bounds A boundary; a limit
Our joy knew no bounds. Your remarks exceed the bounds of reason.
Leap
(intransitive) To jump.
Bound
Bounds The territory on, within, or near limiting lines
The bounds of the kingdom.
Leap
(transitive) To pass over by a leap or jump.
To leap a wall or a ditch
Bound
Confined by bonds; tied
Bound hostages.
Leap
To copulate with (a female beast)
Bound
Being under legal or moral obligation
Bound by my promise.
Leap
To copulate with (a human)
Bound
Equipped with a cover or binding
Bound volumes.
Leap
(transitive) To cause to leap.
To leap a horse across a ditch
Bound
Predetermined; certain
We're bound to be late.
Leap
The act of leaping or jumping.
He made a leap across the river.
Bound
Determined; resolved
Many public policy students are bound to be politicians one day.
Leap
The distance traversed by a leap or jump.
Bound
(Linguistics) Being a form, especially a morpheme, that cannot stand as an independent word, such as a prefix or suffix.
Leap
A group of leopards.
Bound
Constipated.
Leap
(figuratively) A significant move forward.
Bound
Headed or intending to head in a specified direction
Commuters bound for home.
A south-bound train.
Leap
(figuratively) A large step in reasoning, often one that is not justified by the facts.
It's quite a leap to claim that those cloud formations are evidence of UFOs.
Bound
Simple past tense and past participle of bind
I bound the splint to my leg.
I had bound the splint with duct tape.
Leap
(mining) A fault.
Bound
To surround a territory or other geographical entity; to form the boundary of.
France, Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra bound Spain.
Kansas is bounded by Nebraska on the north, Missouri on the east, Oklahoma on the south and Colorado on the west.
Leap
Copulation with, or coverture of, a female beast.
Bound
To be the bound of.
Leap
(music) A passing from one note to another by an interval, especially by a long one, or by one including several other intermediate intervals.
Bound
(intransitive) To leap, move by jumping.
The rabbit bounded down the lane.
Leap
A salmon ladder.
Bound
(transitive) To cause to leap.
To bound a horse
Leap
A trap or snare for fish, made from twigs; a weely.
Bound
To rebound; to bounce.
A rubber ball bounds on the floor
Leap
Half a bushel.
Bound
To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; to bounce.
To bound a ball on the floor
Leap
(calendar) Intercalary, bissextile.
Bound
(with infinitive) Obliged (to).
You are not legally bound to reply.
Leap
A basket.
Bound
That cannot stand alone as a free word.
Leap
A weel or wicker trap for fish.
Bound
Constrained by a quantifier.
Leap
The act of leaping, or the space passed by leaping; a jump; a spring; a bound.
Wickedness comes on by degrees, . . . and sudden leaps from one extreme to another are unnatural.
Changes of tone may proceed either by leaps or glides.
Bound
(dated) Constipated; costive.
Leap
Copulation with, or coverture of, a female beast.
Bound
Confined or restricted to a certain place; e.g. railbound.
Leap
A fault.
Bound
Unable to move in certain conditions; e.g. snowbound.
Leap
A passing from one note to another by an interval, especially by a long one, or by one including several other and intermediate intervals.
Bound
(obsolete) Ready, prepared.
Leap
To spring clear of the ground, with the feet; to jump; to vault; as, a man leaps over a fence, or leaps upon a horse.
Leap in with me into this angry flood.
Bound
Ready to start or go (to); moving in the direction (of).
Which way are you bound?
Is that message bound for me?
Leap
To spring or move suddenly, as by a jump or by jumps; to bound; to move swiftly. Also Fig.
My heart leaps up when I beholdA rainbow in the sky.
Bound
(with infinitive) Very likely (to), certain to
They were bound to come into conflict eventually.
Leap
To pass over by a leap or jump; as, to leap a wall, or a ditch.
Bound
A boundary, the border which one must cross in order to enter or leave a territory.
I reached the northern bound of my property, took a deep breath and walked on.
Somewhere within these bounds you may find a buried treasure.
Leap
To copulate with (a female beast); to cover.
Bound
(mathematics) A value which is known to be greater or smaller than a given set of values.
Leap
To cause to leap; as, to leap a horse across a ditch.
Bound
A sizeable jump, great leap.
The deer crossed the stream in a single bound.
Leap
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
Bound
A spring from one foot to the other in dancing.
Leap
An abrupt transition;
A successful leap from college to the major leagues
Bound
(dated) A bounce; a rebound.
Leap
A sudden and decisive increase;
A jump in attendance
Bound
The external or limiting line, either real or imaginary, of any object or space; that which limits or restrains, or within which something is limited or restrained; limit; confine; extent; boundary.
He hath compassed the waters with bounds.
On earth's remotest bounds.
And mete the bounds of hate and love.
Leap
The distance leaped (or to be leaped);
A leap of 10 feet
Bound
A leap; an elastic spring; a jump.
A bound of graceful hardihood.
Leap
Move forward by leaps and bounds;
The horse bounded across the meadow
The child leapt across the puddle
Can you jump over the fence?
Bound
Rebound; as, the bound of a ball.
Leap
Pass abruptly from one state or topic to another;
Leap into fame
Jump to a conclusion
Bound
Spring from one foot to the other.
Leap
Cause to jump or leap;
The trainer jumped the tiger through the hoop
Bound
To limit; to terminate; to fix the furthest point of extension of; - said of natural or of moral objects; to lie along, or form, a boundary of; to inclose; to circumscribe; to restrain; to confine.
Where full measure only bounds excess.
Phlegethon . . .Whose fiery flood the burning empire bounds.
Leap
To jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.
She managed to leap over the hurdle.
Bound
To name the boundaries of; as, to bound France.
Leap
A forceful jump or quick movement.
It was a leap into the unknown.
Bound
To move with a sudden spring or leap, or with a succession of springs or leaps; as the beast bounded from his den; the herd bounded across the plain.
Before his lord the ready spaniel bounds.
And the waves bound beneath me as a steedThat knows his rider.
Leap
A sudden transition.
He made the leap from employee to entrepreneur.
Bound
To rebound, as an elastic ball.
Bound
To make to bound or leap; as, to bound a horse.
Bound
To cause to rebound; to throw so that it will rebound; as, to bound a ball on the floor.
Bound
Restrained by a hand, rope, chain, fetters, or the like.
Bound
Inclosed in a binding or cover; as, a bound volume.
Bound
Under legal or moral restraint or obligation.
Bound
Constrained or compelled; destined; certain; - followed by the infinitive; as, he is bound to succeed; he is bound to fail.
Bound
Resolved; as, I am bound to do it.
Bound
Constipated; costive.
Bound
Ready or intending to go; on the way toward; going; - with to or for, or with an adverb of motion; as, a ship is bound to Cadiz, or for Cadiz.
Bound
A line determining the limits of an area
Bound
The line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something
Bound
A light springing movement upwards or forwards
Bound
Move forward by leaps and bounds;
The horse bounded across the meadow
The child leapt across the puddle
Can you jump over the fence?
Bound
Form the boundary of; be contiguous to
Bound
Place limits on (extent or access);
Restrict the use of this parking lot
Limit the time you can spend with your friends
Bound
Spring back; spring away from an impact;
The rubber ball bounced
These particles do not resile but they unite after they collide
Bound
Held with another element, substance or material in chemical or physical union
Bound
Confined by bonds;
Bound and gagged hostages
Bound
Secured with a cover or binding; often used as a combining form;
Bound volumes
Leather-bound volumes
Bound
(usually followed by `to') governed by fate;
Bound to happen
An old house destined to be demolished
He is destined to be famous
Bound
Covered or wrapped with a bandage;
The bandaged wound on the back of his head
An injury bound in fresh gauze
Bound
Headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in `college-bound students';
Children bound for school
A flight destined for New York
Bound
Bound by an oath;
A bound official
Bound
Bound by contract
Bound
Confined in the bowels;
He is bound in the belly
Bound
To move forward by leaps or springs.
The dog bounded towards me.
Bound
To leap upward or forward energetically.
He bounded out of his seat with excitement.
Bound
To head in a certain direction quickly.
He was bounding down the street.
FAQs
Is a "leap" considered longer than a "bound"?
Generally, yes, "leap" often implies a greater distance.
Can "leap" refer to non-physical actions?
Yes, it's often used metaphorically for sudden changes or decisions.
Does a "leap" require a lot of effort?
Typically, it refers to a movement requiring a forceful effort.
Is "bound" related to speed?
Often, it implies quick, energetic movement.
Is "leap" used in expressions?
Yes, like "leap of faith" or "quantum leap."
Can "leap" signify advancement?
Yes, it's often used to indicate significant progress or a breakthrough.
Does "bound" mean confined?
It can, but in the context of movement, it means to jump energetically.
Does "bound" refer to bouncing?
It can, especially when describing lively, springing movements.
Can "bound" mean restricted?
In a different context, yes, but not in terms of movement.
Can "bound" be used for human movements?
Yes, though it's often used to describe animals, it can refer to humans too.
Is "leap year" related to jumping?
No, it's a calendar term indicating a year with an extra day.
Can "leap" mean to accept eagerly?
Yes, as in "leap at the opportunity."
Does "bound" imply direction?
It can, as in bounding toward something.
Does "leap" have a negative connotation?
Not inherently, but it can imply risk or uncertainty.
Is "bound" playful?
Often, as it implies lively, energetic movement.
Is "bound" a continuous action?
It can be, especially when describing repetitive jumping.
Can "bound" mean destined?
In another context, yes, but here it refers to energetic jumping.
Is "bound" used in sports?
Yes, it's often used to describe athletic movements.
Does "leap" imply a decision?
It can, especially in a metaphorical sense.
Is "leap" casual?
It can be, but often implies a deliberate action or significant change.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
