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noun

alfalfa

al-FAL-fuh
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Alfalfa (noun) means a leafy green plant grown as livestock feed and cover crop, also called lucerne. Example: “The farmer rotated the field between corn and alfalfa.”

noun
1
A leafy green plant grown as livestock feed and cover crop, also called lucerne.
"The farmer rotated the field between corn and alfalfa."
"Alfalfa sprouts are a common addition to sandwiches."

How to use alfalfa

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA clover-like crop grown to feed animals and enrich soil, also eaten by people as sprouts.

Common pairings
alfalfa sprouts alfalfa hay field of alfalfa
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Word forms

Plural
alfalfas
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Fill the gap

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The farmer rotated the field between corn and _____.

Etymology

From Spanish alfalfa, ultimately from Arabic al-faṣfaṣa — the plant travelled from the Middle East into Spain and then into English.

Origin: Spanish

Related words

Rhymes for alfalfa

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Frequently asked questions

What does “alfalfa” mean?
The word “alfalfa” means a leafy green plant grown as livestock feed and cover crop, also called lucerne. In plain terms, a clover-like crop grown to feed animals and enrich soil, also eaten by people as sprouts.
How do you pronounce “alfalfa”?
“Alfalfa” is pronounced al-FAL-fuh (/ælˈfælfə/ in IPA).
How do you use “alfalfa” in a sentence?
Here is “alfalfa” used in a sentence: “The farmer rotated the field between corn and alfalfa.”
What part of speech is “alfalfa”?
“Alfalfa” is a noun.
Where does the word “alfalfa” come from?
The word “alfalfa” comes from Spanish. From Spanish alfalfa, ultimately from Arabic al-faṣfaṣa — the plant travelled from the Middle East into Spain and then into English.

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