chachalaca: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / SpecializedSpecialized / Technical (Ornithology); Figurative use is informal and regional.
Quick answer
What does “chachalaca” mean?
A medium-sized, long-tailed, noisy bird of the family Cracidae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized, long-tailed, noisy bird of the family Cracidae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Can be used figuratively to refer to a noisy, chattering person or group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. More likely to be encountered in American English due to the bird's geographic range.
Connotations
Neutral in technical contexts. Slightly humorous or critical in figurative use.
Frequency
Virtually never used in general discourse. Known mainly by birdwatchers, zoologists, and residents of regions where the bird is found.
Grammar
How to Use “chachalaca” in a Sentence
The [adjective] chachalaca [verb].It sounded like a chachalaca.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in zoology, ornithology, and ecological studies.
Everyday
Rare. Possible in descriptive or figurative contexts in relevant regions.
Technical
Standard term in its biological classification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chachalaca”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chachalaca”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chachalaca”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈtʃækəlækə/.
- Using it as a general synonym for any bird.
- Incorrect pluralisation: 'chachalacas' is correct.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency, specialized term primarily used in ornithology and in regions where the bird is native.
Yes, but only figuratively and informally, to describe someone who is very noisy or chatters incessantly.
It comes from Spanish, which in turn adapted it from Nahuatl (an indigenous Mexican language), likely imitative of the bird's call.
In British English: /ˌtʃatʃəˈlɑːkə/. In American English: /ˌtʃɑːtʃəˈlɑːkə/. The stress is on the third syllable.
A medium-sized, long-tailed, noisy bird of the family Cracidae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Chachalaca is usually specialized / technical (ornithology); figurative use is informal and regional. in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHAtter-CHAtter-LACk quiet' - a chachalaca lacks quietness.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOISE IS CHATTER; A NOISY PERSON IS A CHACHALACA.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'chachalaca' most appropriately used?