chaparral
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of chaparral
1835–45, < Spanish, equivalent to chaparr ( o ) evergreen oak (< Basque tshapar ) + -al collective suffix
Explanation
Chaparral is a type of dense, thorny thicket with shrubby plants and small trees. Places with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters — like parts of California — are most likely to have chaparral. Chaparral is a rugged landscape where hardy plants like scrub oaks and manzanita thrive. This unique ecosystem is found in regions like central and southern California, northern Mexico, and coastal areas around the Mediterranean Sea. Chaparral supports diverse wildlife and has adapted to withstand fires and droughts. With its thick, thorny bushes and resilient inhabitants — like mountain lions, jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, and coyotes — chaparral showcases nature's ability to flourish in challenging environments.
Vocabulary lists containing chaparral
Western Europe - Introductory
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Western Europe - Middle School and High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yes, some of the green was invasive species, but some was made up of native grasses and shrubby chaparral plants.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025
Because chaparral does not pose a notably greater fire risk as it ages, letting the park burn would not accomplish any significant ecological or wildfire risk reduction goals, she said.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2025
Left alone, chaparral typically burns every 30 to 130 years, historically due to lightning strikes.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 14, 2025
Embers can bury deep in tree roots and chaparral, become covered in heavy ash and continue to smolder until strong winds set them free.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 9, 2025
Bright emerald grass contrasts with the brown chaparral that hovers above it.
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
