guanaco: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized (Zoology) / Informal Slang (Chile)
Quick answer
What does “guanaco” mean?
A South American mammal resembling a small llama, with coarse, thick wool.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A South American mammal resembling a small llama, with coarse, thick wool.
In Chilean Spanish slang, it can refer to a person from Santiago or, more broadly, a Chilean.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or frequency between BrE and AmE; both treat it as a low-frequency loanword from Spanish.
Connotations
Neutral in a zoological context. The Chilean slang connotation is not typically known to English speakers.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “guanaco” in a Sentence
The [adj.] guanaco [verb]...A guanaco is a type of...Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in zoological, biological, and anthropological texts.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of specific contexts like travel documentaries or discussions about South America.
Technical
A precise taxonomic term for the species Lama guanicoe.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guanaco”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “guanaco”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guanaco”
- Mispronunciation: /ˈɡwænəkoʊ/ (incorrect stress on first syllable).
- Confusing it with a llama or alpaca.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different species. The guanaco is wild and smaller, while the llama is a domesticated animal bred from guanacos.
It comes from Quechua 'wanaku' via Spanish.
No, guanacos are wild animals and are not used as beasts of burden like their domesticated relatives, the llama and alpaca.
No, the slang meaning ('a Chilean') is specific to Chilean Spanish and is not part of standard English usage.
A South American mammal resembling a small llama, with coarse, thick wool.
Guanaco is usually specialized (zoology) / informal slang (chile) in register.
Guanaco: in British English it is pronounced /ɡwəˈnɑːkəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡwəˈnɑːkoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in standard English.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GUY in a NACO (an anagram) outfit trying to ride a small llama in the Andes.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not widely metaphorical in English.
Practice
Quiz
What is a guanaco?