Alpaca can referto use a word or phrase to name something to an animal, its woolsoft hair from sheep or similar animals, used to make cloth, or a fabric made from that wool. The most common meaning is the South American animal with soft, long fleecethe thick, soft coat of woolly hair on an animal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ælˈpækə/
Easy pronunciation: al-PACK-uh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: PACK.
Primary sense: the animal, a domesticated South American camelid raised for its fleece.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Alpaca Meaning
an animal like a small llama that is raised for its wool
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A domesticated South American camelid with long, silky fleece.
Example: Farmers in the Andes have raised alpacas for their fleece for centuries.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- lama pacos — Scientific name for the animal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Alpaca
Meaning 2
a shiny, lightweight fabric made from alpaca wool
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A thin glossy fabric made from alpaca wool or from a similar imitation material.
Example: She bought a coat made of alpaca for winter.
Meaning 3
the soft fleece or wool taken from alpacas
Part of speech: noun
Definition: The wool of an alpaca.
Example: The sweater is knitted from alpaca.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Alpaca Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- lama pacos
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse alpaca the animal with alpaca wool or alpaca fabric.
- Alpaca is not the same as llama, although the animals are related.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does alpaca mean?
Alpaca most often means a domesticated South American animal with soft, long fleece. It can also mean the wool from that animal or a fabric made from it.
What is the synonym of alpaca?
For the animal sense, the supplied synonym is the scientific name lama pacos. The wool and fabric senses do not have strong direct synonyms in the supplied data.
Is alpaca a type of llama?
Alpacas are related to llamas, but they are a separate domesticated animal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.