SINCE 1828
vicuña
noun
vi·cu·ña
| \ vi-ˈkün-yə
, vī-; vī-ˈkü-nə, və-, -ˈkyü-\
, vī-; vī-ˈkü-nə, və-, -ˈkyü-\
variants:
or vicuna
Definition of vicuña
1
: a long-necked mammal (Vicugna vicugna synonym Lama vicugna) of the Andes from Peru to Argentina that is related to but somewhat smaller than the guanaco, has a light brown woolly coat that is paler below, is considered to the be ancestor of the alpaca, and has been historically hunted for its wool and meat
2a
: the wool from the vicuña's fine lustrous undercoat
b
: a fabric made of vicuña wool
also
: a sheep's wool imitation of this
Illustration of vicuña
vicuña 1
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for vicuña
vicuña
noun
English Language Learners Definition of vicuña
: a large South American animal that produces wool which is used for clothing
See the full definition for vicuña in the English Language Learners Dictionary
vicuña
noun
vi·cu·ña
variants:
or vicuna \ vi-ˈkün-yə , vī-ˈkü-nə \
Kids Definition of vicuña
: an animal of the Andes that is related to the llama and has long soft woolly hair
Comments on vicuña
What made you want to look up vicuña? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Word Puzzles
-
- Which answer pairs best with each of the following words? living, estate, club, music, road, mile
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Word Puzzles
Challenge yourself with these word puzzles. Can you solve them all?
Take the quiz -
Where in the World? A Quiz
Do you know what languages these words come from?
Take the quiz -
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz -
Syn City
Build a city of skyscrapers—one synonym at a time.
Play the game
Share vicuña
Resources for vicuña