llama

[ lah-muh ]

/ ˈlɑ mə /

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See synonyms for: llama / llamas on Thesaurus.com

noun

a woolly-haired South American ruminant of the genus Lama, believed to be a domesticated variety of the guanaco: often used as a beast of burden.

the fine, soft fleece of the llama, combined with the wool for coating.

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Origin of llama

1590–1600; <Spanish <Quechua llama (with palatal l)

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH llama

lama, llama

Words nearby llama

Lizzy, LJ, Ljubljana, Lk., 'll, llama, Llandaff, Llandudno, Llanelli, Llanelly, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

LLAMA VS. ALPACA

What’s the difference between llamas and alpacas?

Llamas and alpacas are closely-related animals, and they look similar, but they are two different species.

They have a lot in common. Both the llama and the alpaca are thought to be domesticated varieties of the wild South American animal known as the guanaco. They are both ruminant animals—hoofed, four-legged mammals that eat grass and other plants. And they both belong to the genus Lama and to the family that also includes camels.

So how are they different?

Llamas are bigger. They’re known for their strength, endurance, and high thirst tolerance. For this reason, they’re often used as work animals to carry things over long distances.

Alpacas are smaller, with shorter ears. They are much fluffier than llamas, with fuzzy “bangs” that can partly hide their eyes. Their coats are very soft and silky, and they’re usually raised for their fleece, which is used to make very soft yarn or fabric.

So, the best way to tell the difference is by size and fluffiness. If it looks big and strong, like it can carry a lot of stuff, it’s probably a llama. If it’s smaller and fluffier, and its fleece looks like it could be used to make really soft mittens, it’s probably an alpaca.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between llamas and alpacas.

Quiz yourself on llamas vs. alpacas!

True or False?

Llamas and alpacas are completely unrelated.

How to use llama in a sentence

She walked up the stairs and into the Quadruped Room, which included a moose, llama, bear, bison, prong-horned antelope, hyena, and a jackal.
When Science Was the Best Show in America - Issue 93: Forerunners|Lee Alan Dugatkin|November 18, 2020|Nautilus
Mummified llamas stashed at a more than 500-year-old site on Peru’s southern coast offer the first direct glimpse of Inca ritual sacrifices of these animals.
Mummified llamas yield new insights into Inca ritual sacrifices|Bruce Bower|October 27, 2020|Science News
Another llama, missing its head and possibly moved from another location, had been placed under the floor of a smaller building.
Mummified llamas yield new insights into Inca ritual sacrifices|Bruce Bower|October 27, 2020|Science News
To interrupt the infection in the nose, some scientists are turning to specialized immune proteins found in camels, llamas and alpacas.
Treatments that target the coronavirus in the nose might help prevent COVID-19|Laura Sanders|September 14, 2020|Science News

Since leaving the racing scene, Doom has made a name for himself by piecing together creative multi-day routes around the world that require mountain bikes, pack rafts, and the occasional llama.
27 Epic Trips to Start Planning Now|The Editors|September 8, 2020|Outside Online
"He was sick of being seen as a blond bimbo," Gilliam told the Daily Llama.
Rob Lowe: Don’t Hate Me Because I’m Beautiful|Tricia Romano|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since Holmes has been in jail, Benjamin has sent him a letter of support as well as a Christmas card of a llama.
I Love James Holmes: An Admirer Opens Up About Her Crush|Christine Pelisek|January 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“He once took a picture of himself with a llama for his college application,” she said.
I Love James Holmes: An Admirer Opens Up About Her Crush|Christine Pelisek|January 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The flesh of the vicuña is more tender and better flavored than that of the llama.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests|J. J. von Tschudi
A thin fabric of close texture made from the fibers of an animal of the llama species; mixed with silk or with cotton.
Textiles|William H. Dooley
The guanaco, by some supposed to be the llama in its wild state, is found on the eastern side of Tierra del Fuego.
The Land of Fire|Mayne Reid
The Peruvians domesticated the llama in large flocks, and it was their most important helper.
The Spanish Pioneers|Charles F. Lummis
An enormous cobra which had crept up the stem of a tall palm tree threw itself on to a little llama that was grazing at the foot.
The Lilac Fairy Book|Andrew Lang

British Dictionary definitions for llama

llama

/ (ˈlɑːmə) /

noun

a domesticated South American cud-chewing mammal, Lama glama (or L. peruana), that is used as a beast of burden and is valued for its hair, flesh, and hide: family Camelidae (camels)

the cloth made from the wool of this animal

any other animal of the genus LamaSee alpaca 1, guanaco

Word Origin for llama

C17: via Spanish from Quechua

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

llama

COMPARE MEANINGS

Origin of llama

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH llama

Words nearby llama

LLAMA VS. ALPACA

What’s the difference between llamas and alpacas?

Quiz yourself on llamas vs. alpacas!

Words related to llama

How to use llama in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for llama

Word Origin for llama