Phrase guide

quantum leap

noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈkwɒntəm liːp/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The discontinuous change of the state of an electron in an atom or molecule from one energy level to another.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Qualifier: quantum mechanics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An abrupt, extreme change.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A large, massive, significant change.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, informal, nonstandard

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To manifest, to forward the reality of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: slang

Qualifier: esoteric attraction theory

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a sudden large increase or advance

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • this may not insure success but it will represent a quantum leap from last summer

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: quantum jump

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: jump, leap

History

Etymology

Possibly calque of Danish kvantespring.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Danish: kvantespring — electron's state of change
  • Esperanto: kvantuma salto — electron's state of change
  • Finnish: kvanttihyppy — electron's state of change
  • French: saut quantique — electron's state of change
  • Georgian: კვანტური ნახტომი (ḳvanṭuri naxṭomi) — electron's state of change
  • German: Quantensprung — electron's state of change
  • Italian: salto quantico — electron's state of change
  • Norwegian Bokmål: kvantesprang — electron's state of change
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: kvantesprang — electron's state of change
  • Russian: ква́нтовый скачо́к (kvántovyj skačók) — electron's state of change
  • Swedish: kvantsprång — electron's state of change
  • Esperanto: kvantuma salto — abrupt change
  • Finnish: hyppäys — abrupt change
  • German: Quantensprung — abrupt change
  • Hebrew: קפיצת מדרגה — abrupt change
  • Norwegian: kvantesprang — abrupt change
  • Spanish: salto cuántico — abrupt change
  • Swedish: kvantsprång — abrupt change