cariboo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowRegional/Historical
Quick answer
What does “cariboo” mean?
A variant spelling of 'caribou', referring to a large North American reindeer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A variant spelling of 'caribou', referring to a large North American reindeer.
A regional or historical term for the caribou, particularly associated with Canadian English in certain contexts (e.g., the Cariboo region of British Columbia).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Neither standard British nor American English uses 'cariboo' as the primary term for the animal. It is chiefly a Canadian regionalism, particularly associated with the place name 'Cariboo' in British Columbia.
Connotations
In Canada, 'Cariboo' may evoke the specific region, its history (Cariboo Gold Rush), or local dialects. It can sound folksy or archaic when used for the animal.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside of Canadian toponyms and historical references. 'Caribou' is universal.
Grammar
How to Use “cariboo” in a Sentence
[the] Cariboo + [Geographical Feature/Historical Event]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cariboo” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Cariboo trail is a historic route.
American English
- He bought a map of the Cariboo region.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in business names in the Cariboo region of BC (e.g., 'Cariboo Hotels').
Academic
Appears in historical or geographical papers on British Columbia.
Everyday
Virtually unused in everyday language outside specific Canadian locales.
Technical
Not used in zoological or biological contexts; 'caribou' is standard.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cariboo”
- Using 'cariboo' in general writing instead of 'caribou'.
- Pronouncing 'Cariboo' region with a final /buː/ instead of /bʊ/ is common but the spelling dictates /buː/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The correct spelling for the North American reindeer is 'caribou'. 'Cariboo' is a variant used mainly in place names.
It is a region in the interior of British Columbia, Canada, known for its history, wilderness, and the Cariboo Gold Rush.
You should not. Always use the standard term 'caribou' to avoid being marked incorrect.
It likely arose from folk etymology or phonetic spelling in the 19th century, particularly during the Cariboo Gold Rush, and became fixed in the place name.
A variant spelling of 'caribou', referring to a large North American reindeer.
Cariboo is usually regional/historical in register.
Cariboo: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkær.ɪ.buː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈker.ə.buː/ or /ˈkær.ə.buː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cariboo' has two 'o's like the gold they sought in the Cariboo Gold Rush.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS ITS HISTORY: 'Cariboo' metaphorically represents the frontier gold rush era and wilderness of interior British Columbia.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Cariboo' primarily used to refer to in modern English?