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

Hundreds of animals — including alpacas, donkeys and more than 150 horses — were being rescued from a sanctuary outside Julian on Friday in a massive operation that was expected to take days, a San Diego Humane Society spokesperson said. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026

Hug a Therapy Llama Therapy llamas and alpacas are calming fliers' nerves at this US airport. —Hannah Wallace, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026

Her home, Blenheim Farm, was built in 2020 with her husband on the site of a former bungalow that once formed part of an alpaca farm. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2026

In 2020, the animal rights group cited an alpaca farm in Peru supplying H&M, Gap and other brands for cruelty to its livestock, leading the brands to sever ties with the farm’s parent company, the Michell Group. —Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Aymara allpaqa

First Known Use

1747, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alpaca

• hakka
• makah

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