noun
chinchilla
chihn-CHIH-luh
Chinchilla (noun) means a small rodent from the Andes mountains, prized for its extremely soft, dense fur and often kept as a pet. Example: “Her pet chinchilla loves taking dust baths.”
noun
1
A small rodent from the Andes mountains, prized for its extremely soft, dense fur and often kept as a pet.
"Her pet chinchilla loves taking dust baths."
"Chinchilla fur was once highly valued in the fashion trade."
"It's important to put a lot of thought into owning a chinchilla since they have a considerably long lifespan of 10 to 20 years. Chinchillas are most widely known for their exceptional fur coat."
— Jamie Huggins, Chinchillas - from Pets to Profession (2004)
How to use chinchilla
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fluffy South American rodent kept as a pet or once farmed for its fur.
Common pairings
pet chinchilla
chinchilla fur
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like chinchilla.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- chinchillas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her pet _____ loves taking dust baths.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Spanish chinchilla.
Rhymes for chinchilla
See all rhymes for chinchilla →Frequently asked questions
What does “chinchilla” mean?
The word “chinchilla” means a small rodent from the Andes mountains, prized for its extremely soft, dense fur and often kept as a pet. In plain terms, a fluffy South American rodent kept as a pet or once farmed for its fur.
How do you pronounce “chinchilla”?
“Chinchilla” is pronounced chihn-CHIH-luh (/t͡ʃɪnˈt͡ʃɪlə/ in IPA).
How do you use “chinchilla” in a sentence?
Here is “chinchilla” used in a sentence: “Her pet chinchilla loves taking dust baths.”
What part of speech is “chinchilla”?
“Chinchilla” is a noun.
Where does the word “chinchilla” come from?
The word “chinchilla” comes from Spanish. Borrowed directly from Spanish chinchilla.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include chinchilla:
