guanaco

noun

gua·​na·​co gwə-ˈnä-(ˌ)kō 

plural guanacos also guanaco

: a long-necked South American mammal (Lama guanicoe) of dry, open country that has a soft, thick fawn-colored coat, is related to the camel but lacks a dorsal hump, and is considered to be the ancestor of the domesticated llama compare alpaca, llama

Illustration of guanaco

Examples of guanaco in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These majestic creatures primarily feed on guanacos. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026

Watch the towers play hide and seek as clouds shift with the wind and keep an eye out for guanacos and rheas who come close to the lodge. —Sarah Marshall, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Imagine herds of guanacos, native llama-like creatures, grazing below dramatic peaks; flocks of flamingos swimming across lagoons; and not another traveler in sight. —Jeaninne Sanz, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

Other wildlife species recovered as well, including foxes and guanacos. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua wanaku

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for guanaco

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

guanaco

noun

gua·​na·​co gwə-ˈnäk-ō 

plural guanacos

: a South American mammal that has a soft thick light grayish brown coat and is related to the camels but lacks a hump