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

For small animals such as gerbils or chinchillas, co-sleeping isn’t safe due to their size, potty habits, and tendency to chew. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025

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

Upload’s return promises dark AI, chinchilla life coaches and a love story for the (digital) ages in the new trailer for the Prime Video series’ final season. —Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2025

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