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noun

alfalfa

al-FAL-fuh

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

Word Forms

alfalfas plural

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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

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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