jackalope
noun
jack·a·lope
ˈja-kə-ˌlōp 
plural jackalopes
: a mythical animal that is reported chiefly from the western U.S. and is reputed to be the size of a small deer and to have the body of a jackrabbit and the horns of an antelope
Though stories mentioning horned creatures and animal hybrids exist in cultures and texts worldwide, in the U.S., the jackalope was "invented" by a creative hunter in Wyoming—paving the way for tourist attractions and cementing its place as a classic Americana relic.—
Kara Goldfarb
Kara GoldfarbDo you really have the willpower to pass up snapping a photo of yourself with the 80-foot brontosaurus and giant stuffed jackalope out front?—Bob Howells et al.
Bob Howells et al.With a load of this brand of alcohol warming his belly, if a cowboy says he can lick double his weight of jackalopes, there's no doubt that he can't.—Donald E. Getz
Donald E. GetzPapilloma viruses cause the hornlike growths in rabbits that probably gave rise to myths of "jackalopes" in the American West.—Matthew Herper
Matthew HerperExamples of jackalope in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jackalope The jackalope is often described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
The jackalope has become a symbol of the tall tales and humor that are characteristic of Western folklore.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
The jackalope is often described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
The legend of the jackalope began as a light-hearted hoax, taxidermists combining rabbit bodies with deer antlers to create this mythical beast.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
But the judge and Brun proceed along their questionable path, leaping to conclusions like happy jackalopes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Those who know little about the jackalope will be happy that Michael Branch has come hopping along.
—Dave Shiflett, WSJ, 24 Feb. 2022
After sucking down root beer floats, kids can dance to an animatronic cowboy orchestra or pose atop a 6-foot-tall fiberglass jackalope.
—Ashlea Halpern, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2021
Meet Bijou the bunny, dressed as a jackalope this year.
—cleveland, 26 Oct. 2020
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Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
The jackalope has become a symbol of the tall tales and humor that are characteristic of Western folklore.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
The jackalope is often described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
The legend of the jackalope began as a light-hearted hoax, taxidermists combining rabbit bodies with deer antlers to create this mythical beast.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024
But the judge and Brun proceed along their questionable path, leaping to conclusions like happy jackalopes.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Those who know little about the jackalope will be happy that Michael Branch has come hopping along.
—Dave Shiflett, WSJ, 24 Feb. 2022
After sucking down root beer floats, kids can dance to an animatronic cowboy orchestra or pose atop a 6-foot-tall fiberglass jackalope.
—Ashlea Halpern, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2021
Meet Bijou the bunny, dressed as a jackalope this year.
—cleveland, 26 Oct. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Jackalope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jackalope. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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