Sherpa

[ shur-puh ]

/ ˈʃɜr pə /

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See synonyms for Sherpa on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural Sher·pas, (especially collectively) Sher·pa.

a member of a people of Tibetan descent living in the Nepalese Himalayas, who often serve as porters on mountain-climbing expeditions.

a Tibetic language spoken by the Sherpa.

Sometimes sherpa . an expert chosen by a chief executive to assist in preparations for a summit meeting.

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Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of Sherpa

First recorded in 1840–50; from Sherpa sharpa, equiavalent to shar “east” + pa “people” (referring to the origin of this people in eastern Tibet)

Words nearby Sherpa

Sherlockian, Sherman, Sherman Antitrust Act, Sherman's march to the sea, Sherman, William Tecumseh, Sherpa, Sherriff, Sherrill, Sherrington, sherris, sherry

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

How to use Sherpa in a sentence

For a broader scope, travel companies and organizations have created interactive maps for the entire world, such as Sherpa, the International Air Transport Association and Kayak, the online travel agency.
What to know as Europe reopens to U.S. travelers|Andrea Sachs|August 25, 2021|Washington Post
A sick Sherpa either has to walk into town or spend as much as $3,000—potentially half a year’s income—for a helicopter evacuation to the capital.
The COVID-19 Pandemic May Be the Hardest Mountain Nepal's Sherpas Have Ever Had to Climb|Rojita Adhikari / Everest South Base Camp and Kathmandu|May 21, 2021|Time
Perhaps this is the reason for the air of grim determination hanging over Base Camp, where a 19-year-old Sherpa guide has become one of the latest climbers to be stricken with a cough and a fever.
The COVID-19 Pandemic May Be the Hardest Mountain Nepal's Sherpas Have Ever Had to Climb|Rojita Adhikari / Everest South Base Camp and Kathmandu|May 21, 2021|Time
The Sherpa jackets are perfect right now as it’s getting colder, I have the animal print one.
UGG Taps Zuri Marley For Ready-To-Wear Campaign|Nandi Howard|November 23, 2020|Essence.com

Pieces include fall and winter essentials like Sherpa jackets and matching sweatsuits.
UGG Taps Zuri Marley For Ready-To-Wear Campaign|Nandi Howard|November 23, 2020|Essence.com
The sherpa strike left you with no highest mountain to climb?
Now That Everest Is Closed, Check Out These Other Extreme Adventures|Nina Strochlic|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When she was 20, she met Lopsang Sherpa, an established mountaineer, who also thought her too tall to marry.
Breaking Mount Everest’s Glass Ceiling|Amanda Padoan, Peter Zuckerman|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pride of Kathmandu is a cross-country skier named — I kid you not — Sherpa.
The Olympics Are Already Two Days Old. This Is Your Test.|Kevin Bleyer|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His humility is refreshing; Sherpa himself expects a last-place finish.
The Olympics Are Already Two Days Old. This Is Your Test.|Kevin Bleyer|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These headlamps, Sher realized, belonged to a team of Sherpa descending to base camp.
Death on Killer Mountain|Amanda Padoan|July 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for Sherpa (1 of 2)

sherpa

/ (ˈʃɜːpə) /

noun

an official who makes preparations for or assists a government representative or important delegate at a summit meeting or conference

Word Origin for sherpa

C20: from Sherpa, a member of a people noted for providing assistance to mountaineers: from a pun on the different senses of summit

British Dictionary definitions for Sherpa (2 of 2)

Sherpa

/ (ˈʃɜːpə) /

noun plural -pas or -pa

a member of a people of Mongolian origin living on the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal, noted as mountaineers

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