chupacabra

American  

[choo-puh--kah-bruh] / ˌtʃu pə ˈkɑ brə /

noun

1. a blood-sucking, hairless creature of Latin American legend that is said to attack livestock, especially goats.

   We concluded that the chupacabra sightings in Texas were most likely coyotes with mange.

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Etymology

Origin of chupacabra

First recorded in 1995–2000; from Spanish, literally “goat sucker,” equivalent to chupar “to suck” + cabra “goat,” possibly a translation of Latin caprimulgus; see capri- ( def. ), milk ( def. ), goatsucker ( def. )

Example Sentences

This dire menace to clown kind is about as real as the chupacabra.

From Salon • May 16, 2024

The original legend of the chupacabra paints these mythical creatures as scaly reptilian monsters that drink the blood of livestock — but don’t tell your children that part.

From New York Times • May 5, 2023

The internet encyclopedia defines cryptozoology as “a pseudoscience or subculture that searches for and studies unknown, legendary, or extinct animals” such as Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the chupacabra, and other so-called cryptids.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2023

Expedition Unknown Working with a wildlife biologist, a veterinarian and an investigator in Puerto Rico, Josh Gates explores caves and treks through dense jungles in search of the mythical chupacabra.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 17, 2019

Patches covered the entire back panel with moons, rocket ships, skulls, alien heads, and something that looked like a chupacabra.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova