llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈlä-mə  ˈyä-mə 

: any of a genus (Lama) of wild or domesticated, long-necked, South American ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals related to the camels but smaller and without a hump

especially : a domesticated llama (L. glama) descended from the guanaco and used especially in the Andes as a pack animal and a source of wool

Illustration of llama

Examples of llama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The three girls are then separated, and each experience different hallucinations: Van is back inside the cabin and warms herself in front of the fireplace, Akilah wanders through the forest and communicates with a talking llama, and Shauna spots her son while wading through the lake. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 22 Feb. 2025

And more importantly, congratulations to Linda the no drama llama! —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025

After a few other entrances, there’s a llama approaching. —Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025

In Torres del Paine National Park, guanacos (wild relatives of the llama) graze beneath the mighty wingspan of Andean condors. —AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for llama

• brahma
• chama
• comma
• dama
• drama
• gama
• lama
• mama
• mamma
• momma
• rama
• sama

Kids Definition

llama

noun

lla·​ma ˈläm-ə 

: any of several wild and domesticated long-necked South American hoofed mammals that chew the cud and are related to the camels but smaller and without a hump