ENGLISH
REFERENCE

alpaca

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //æɫˈpækə// UK //ælpˈækɐ// al·paca

n. a type of woolly animal from South America that looks like a llama. People keep them for their soft, warm wool.

n. a domesticated South American camelid, closely related to the llama, known for its high-quality fleece. Often used in the plural to refer to the fiber itself.


SIMPLE

The farmer keeps several alpacas for their soft wool.

CONTEXTUAL

Visitors to the mountain farm can see alpacas grazing in the fields and learn about their wool production.

COMPLEX

While the alpaca is smaller and more docile than the llama, it provides a significantly higher yield of fine, hypoallergenic fiber that is highly prized in the textile industry.

Origin

Borrowed from Spanish alpaca, from Aymara allpaqa.

© 2026 English Reference