noun
Uncommon
coca
KOH-kuh
Coca (noun) means a South American shrub whose leaves are chewed or brewed as a mild stimulant and are the source of cocaine. Example: “Farmers in the Andes have grown coca for centuries.”
noun
1
A South American shrub whose leaves are chewed or brewed as a mild stimulant and are the source of cocaine.
"Farmers in the Andes have grown coca for centuries."
"Travellers in the mountains are sometimes offered tea brewed from coca leaves to help with altitude."
"The botanist showed us a coca plant growing in the greenhouse."
How to use coca
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe plant whose leaves are the raw source of cocaine, traditionally chewed in South America for a mild stimulant effect.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "cocoa," the chocolate ingredient — they sound alike but are unrelated plants.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- cocas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Farmers in the Andes have grown _____ for centuries.
Etymology
Borrowed via Spanish from Quechua kuka.
Synonyms
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coca plant
Rhymes for coca
See all rhymes for coca →Frequently asked questions
What does “coca” mean?
The word “coca” means a South American shrub whose leaves are chewed or brewed as a mild stimulant and are the source of cocaine. In plain terms, the plant whose leaves are the raw source of cocaine, traditionally chewed in South America for a mild stimulant effect.
How do you pronounce “coca”?
“Coca” is pronounced KOH-kuh (/ˈkoʊ.kə/ in IPA).
How do you use “coca” in a sentence?
Here is “coca” used in a sentence: “Farmers in the Andes have grown coca for centuries.”
What part of speech is “coca”?
“Coca” is a noun.
Where does the word “coca” come from?
The word “coca” comes from Spanish. Borrowed via Spanish from Quechua kuka.
Is “coca” a common word?
“Coca” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'coca' and 'cocoa'?
'Coca' and 'cocoa' are unrelated despite sounding similar. Coca is a South American shrub whose leaves are chewed or brewed as a mild stimulant and are the source of cocaine, while cocoa is a powder made from roasted cacao beans used in chocolate and baking.
Is 'coca' the same thing as cocaine?
No, 'coca' refers to the plant itself, whose leaves are the natural source material, while cocaine is the refined, processed drug extracted from those leaves. Chewing or brewing coca leaves produces only a mild stimulant effect, unlike the concentrated drug.
How are coca leaves traditionally used?
Coca leaves are traditionally chewed or brewed, for example as a tea, to produce a mild stimulant effect. This traditional use is distinct from the industrial processing required to produce cocaine.
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