alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpa-kə 

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

• alpaca 1

Examples of alpaca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Westchester County Police said the department received a report Thursday morning about a llama on the run on Kisco Avenue, although the animal actually turned out to be an alpaca. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Also, their real estate broker, Dawn (Danielle Brooks), has an alpaca in her car because her side hustle is running a mobile zoo. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025

Art: Seth Fite The prayer room, with its cozy poufs and an alpaca fur rug, is where the family spends many evenings. —Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 12 Mar. 2025

Williams first learned about the alpacas’ situation from a veterinarian friend. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Aymara allpaqa

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alpaca

• hakka
• makah

Kids Definition

alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpak-ə 

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