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

My purveyor was a Web site called Exotic Meat Market, which also offers such unsettling delicacies as alpaca, zebra, and iguana meat. —John Paul Brammer, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2024

Wedding ceremonies are increasingly incorporating other animals, including alpacas, goats and even penguins. —Cathy Free, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 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