chupacabra: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, Folklore, Cryptozoology
Quick answer
What does “chupacabra” mean?
A mythical creature from Latin American folklore, said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, especially goats.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mythical creature from Latin American folklore, said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, especially goats.
A term used to refer to any mysterious or unidentified predatory animal, or metaphorically to an elusive or unexplained threat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare in both varieties. It is more likely to be encountered in American English due to proximity to Latin American reports and media coverage.
Connotations
Carries connotations of mystery, folklore, and pseudo-science. In both varieties, it is not a serious zoological term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English. Its use is almost entirely restricted to discussions of cryptids, monsters, or humor.
Grammar
How to Use “chupacabra” in a Sentence
The chupacabra [verb: is said to attack/vampires/roams]They claimed to have seen a chupacabra [prepositional phrase: in the hills/near the farm]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chupacabra” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not used as a verb]
American English
- [Not used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Rarely used adjectivally] The film had a chupacabra-like monster.
American English
- [Rarely used adjectivally] He described a chupacabra-esque creature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Potentially metaphorical for a predatory competitor or a drain on resources.
Academic
Used only in specific contexts like folklore studies, anthropology, or cryptozoology (a pseudoscience).
Everyday
Used in storytelling, jokes, or when discussing unexplained animal attacks in certain regions.
Technical
Not a technical term in biology or zoology. Used in cryptozoological contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chupacabra”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chupacabra”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chupacabra”
- Misspelling: 'chupacabra', 'chupacabre'. Incorrect plural: 'chupacabras' is standard. Using it as a serious scientific term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a creature of folklore and cryptozoology. No scientific evidence supports its existence as described in legends.
It comes from Spanish 'chupar' (to suck) and 'cabra' (goat), meaning 'goat-sucker'.
The modern legend is widely reported to have begun with livestock attacks in Puerto Rico in the mid-1990s, though similar folklore exists elsewhere.
Yes, informally it can describe any elusive, mysterious, or draining entity, e.g., 'That hidden fee is a real chupacabra on my bank account.'
A mythical creature from Latin American folklore, said to attack and drink the blood of livestock, especially goats.
Chupacabra is usually informal, folklore, cryptozoology in register.
Chupacabra: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃuːpəˈkɑːbrə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃuːpəˈkɑːbrə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms. The word itself is used figuratively, e.g., 'He's like a chupacabra, draining the life out of the project.']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHUPA' (like 'sucks' in Spanish) + 'CABRA' (goat in Spanish) = the 'goat-sucker'.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE UNKNOWN IS A MONSTER; A DRAIN ON RESOURCES IS A BLOODSUCKER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the chupacabra said to prey upon primarily?