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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."

How to use chinchilla

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fluffy South American rodent kept as a pet or once farmed for its fur.

Common pairings
pet chinchilla chinchilla fur

Word forms

chinchillas plural, Chinchillas plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her pet _____ loves taking dust baths.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Spanish chinchilla.

Origin: Spanish

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.

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