capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌka-pi-ˈber-ə 

-ˈba-rə,

-ˈbär-ə 

: a tailless semiaquatic South and Central American rodent (Hydrochaerus hydrochaeris) often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length

Illustration of capybara

Examples of capybara in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, caught in a flood that submerges everything, the cat ascends and eventually wanders toward a boat with a capybara, lemur, stork, and golden retriever. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 10 Feb. 2025

But in an alternate timeline, what would a capybaras sound like on the big screen? —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 8 Feb. 2025

The film follows a courageous cat that teams up with a capybara, lemur, bird and dog for a perilous journey after their homes are devastated by a flood. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025

At one point late in the action, the van stops by the roadside, where Anika gets out and approaches a wild capybara emerging from the brush. —Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese capibara, capivara, alteration of capiiuara, from Tupi kapiʔiwara, from kapíʔi grass, brush + -wara eater

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for capybara

• arikara
• ishihara
• alara
• amara
• antara
• aymara
• bambara
• camara
• damara
• gandhara
• gemara
• gurdwara

Kids Definition

capybara

noun

cap·​y·​bara ˌkap-i-ˈbar-ə  -ˈbär- 

: a tailless South American rodent often exceeding four feet (1.2 meters) in length that is often found in or near water