alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpa-kə 

1

: a domesticated mammal (Vicugna pacos synonym Lama pacos) especially of Peru that is probably descended from the vicuña

2

a

: wool of the alpaca

b(1)

: a thin cloth made of or containing this wool

(2)

: a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth

Illustration of alpaca

• alpaca 1

Examples of alpaca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ventura County Animal Services said 115 horses, five ponies, three donkeys, seven sheep, 33 goats, four mini horses, one cattle, and 20 alpacas are being sheltered Friday as evacuees. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 9 Nov. 2024

As King Charles and Queen Camilla embarked on a 30-minute walk to greet the crowd, Charles stopped to pat the alpaca. —Erin Hill, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

In the bedroom, Agnes Martin prints hang above the brown alpaca bed that Matt designed himself. —Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2024

King Charles had an unexpected encounter with an alpaca while visiting Canberra during his royal tour of Australia. —Erin Hill, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Aymara allpaqa

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

alpaca

noun

al·​paca al-ˈpak-ə 

1

: a mammal with fine long woolly hair domesticated in Peru and related to the llama

2

: wool of the alpaca or a cloth made of it

also : a rayon or cotton imitation of this cloth

Etymology

Spanish