alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpa-kə How to pronounce alpaca (audio)
1
: a domesticated mammal (Vicugna pacos synonym Lama pacos) especially of Peru that is probably descended from the vicuña
2
a
: wool of the alpaca
b(1)
: a thin cloth made of or containing this wool
(2)
: a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth

Illustration of alpaca

Illustration of alpaca
  • alpaca 1

Examples of alpaca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The brand offers men’s and women’s knitwear crafted from luxurious yarns including cashmere, silk, alpaca, yak, wool, cotton and linen. Martino Carrera, WWD, 30 Sep. 2024 Visit farm animals such as goats, alpacas, chickens and ponies. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2024 Along with people, the disease has also appeared in animals including horses, llamas and alpacas. Devika Rao, theweek, 9 Sep. 2024 In the background of the snap of Katherine, a bouncy house and balloon bouquet indicated a pink theme, while the next slide revealed a petting zoo area containing what looked to be a duck, alpaca and more. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 28 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for alpaca 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alpaca.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Aymara allpaqa

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alpaca was in 1747

Dictionary Entries Near alpaca

Cite this Entry

“Alpaca.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alpaca. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

alpaca

noun
al·​paca al-ˈpak-ə How to pronounce alpaca (audio)
1
: a mammal with fine long woolly hair domesticated in Peru and related to the llama
2
: wool of the alpaca or a cloth made of it
also : a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth
Etymology

Spanish

More from Merriam-Webster on alpaca

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