chinchilla

noun

chin·​chil·​la chin-ˈchi-lə 

1

: either of two small South American rodents (Chinchilla lanigera and C. chinchilla of the family Chinchillidae) of the high Andes that are the size of large squirrels, have very soft pearly-gray fur, and are extensively bred in captivity

also : the fur of a chinchilla

2

: a heavy twilled woolen coating

Illustration of chinchilla

Examples of chinchilla in a Sentence

The collar of the coat is chinchilla.

Recent Examples on the Web

Prime Video released the final season trailer for its sci-fi dramedy Tuesday, and while things still remain up in the air for Nate in Lakeview, fear not — a life-coach chinchilla is here to save the day! —Claire Franken, TVLine, 12 Aug. 2025

Meet Yin, Yang, Eddie, and Charley, chinchillas ready for adoption. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2025

This chinchilla moment was but a gateway animal obsession. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 5 Aug. 2025

Viscachas, which are a type of chinchilla the size of a rabbit, are a good omen for astronomers at the Rubin observatory. —Harry Goldstein, IEEE Spectrum, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chinchilla

• axilla
• flotilla
• gorilla
• guerilla
• guerrilla
• manilla
• mantilla
• maxilla
• mesilla
• papilla
• priscilla
• scintilla

Kids Definition

chinchilla

noun

chin·​chil·​la chin-ˈchil-ə 

: a South American rodent that is the size of a large squirrel and is widely bred in captivity for its very soft fur of a pearly gray color

also : its fur