noun
Uncommon
caribou
KA-rih-boo
Caribou (noun) means a large North American deer related to the reindeer, known for its long migrations. Example: “Herds of caribou migrate hundreds of miles each year across the tundra.”
noun
1
A large North American deer related to the reindeer, known for its long migrations.
"Herds of caribou migrate hundreds of miles each year across the tundra."
"Indigenous communities in the Arctic have long depended on caribou for food."
How to use caribou
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of large deer native to Arctic and subarctic North America; the same species as the Eurasian reindeer.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
caribou herd
caribou migration
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Word forms
- Plural
- caribous
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Herds of _____ migrate hundreds of miles each year across the tundra.
Etymology
Borrowed from Canadian French caribou, from the Mi'kmaq word qalipu, meaning roughly "the one that shovels (snow)" — a nod to how the animal paws through snow to reach food.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for caribou
See all rhymes for caribou →Frequently asked questions
What does “caribou” mean?
The word “caribou” means a large North American deer related to the reindeer, known for its long migrations. In plain terms, a type of large deer native to Arctic and subarctic North America; the same species as the Eurasian reindeer.
How do you pronounce “caribou”?
“Caribou” is pronounced KA-rih-boo (/ˈkæɹəbu/ in IPA).
How do you use “caribou” in a sentence?
Here is “caribou” used in a sentence: “Herds of caribou migrate hundreds of miles each year across the tundra.”
What part of speech is “caribou”?
“Caribou” is a noun.
Where does the word “caribou” come from?
The word “caribou” comes from French. Borrowed from Canadian French caribou, from the Mi'kmaq word qalipu, meaning roughly "the one that shovels (snow)" — a nod to how the animal paws through snow to reach food.
Is “caribou” a common word?
“Caribou” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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