noun

Sherpa

SHPUH

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Sherpa (noun) means a member of a Himalayan ethnic group from Nepal and Tibet, well known for skill in high-altitude mountaineering. Example: “The expedition hired several Sherpas to help carry supplies up the mountain.”

noun

A member of a Himalayan ethnic group from Nepal and Tibet, well known for skill in high-altitude mountaineering.

"The expedition hired several Sherpas to help carry supplies up the mountain."

A local guide or porter, especially one from the Sherpa people, who helps mountaineers on an expedition.

"Their sherpa knew a safer route around the crevasse."

A senior official who does the background negotiating and preparation ahead of a major summit, such as a G7 or G20 meeting.

"The president's sherpa spent weeks hammering out the joint statement in advance."

A soft, thick-piled synthetic fabric resembling fleece or faux fur.

"The jacket has a cozy sherpa lining."

How to use Sherpa

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRefers to the Himalayan Sherpa people and their mountain guides, and by extension anyone who does the expert groundwork behind an important event — plus an unrelated cozy fleece-like fabric.

Common pairings

sherpa fleece sherpa lining hire a sherpa

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Sherpas
Third person singular: sherpas
Past tense: sherpaed

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The expedition hired several _____ to help carry supplies up the mountain.

Etymology

From the Tibetan word shar pa, meaning "eastern people," reflecting the community's origins in eastern Tibet before settling in the Nepalese highlands.

Frequently asked questions

What does “Sherpa” mean?

The word “Sherpa” means a member of a Himalayan ethnic group from Nepal and Tibet, well known for skill in high-altitude mountaineering. In plain terms, refers to the Himalayan Sherpa people and their mountain guides, and by extension anyone who does the expert groundwork behind an important event — plus an unrelated cozy fleece-like fabric.

How do you pronounce “Sherpa”?

“Sherpa” is pronounced SHPUH (/ˈʃɝpə/ in IPA).

How do you use “Sherpa” in a sentence?

Here is “Sherpa” used in a sentence: “The expedition hired several Sherpas to help carry supplies up the mountain.”

What part of speech is “Sherpa”?

“Sherpa” is a noun.

How many meanings does “Sherpa” have?

“Sherpa” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of a Himalayan ethnic group from Nepal and Tibet, well known for skill in high-altitude mountaineering.