Coyote - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT coyote /kaɪˈjoʊɾi/ /kəˈjʌʊti/ IPA guide

Other forms: coyotes

A coyote is a wild dog that looks like a small wolf. Coyotes live in nearly every US state, and in most of Canada as well.

A coyote is a canine, a relative of the domesticated dog and the wolf. Coyotes are distinctive, different from wolves, because of their relatively small size, delicate paws, and large ears. The word coyote is Mexican Spanish, from an Aztec root, cóyotl, or "trickster." The scientific name of the coyote is Canis latrans, "barking dog" in Latin. Another informal meaning of coyote, used mainly in the US southwest and Mexico, is a smuggler of illegal immigrants.

Definitions of coyote

noun small wolf native to western North America synonyms: Canis latrans, brush wolf, prairie wolf see moresee less types: coydog offspring of a coyote and a dog type of: wolf any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
noun someone who smuggles illegal immigrants into the United States (usually across the Mexican border) see moresee less type of: contrabandist, moon curser, moon-curser, runner, smuggler someone who imports or exports without paying duties
noun a forest fire fighter who is sent to battle remote and severe forest fires (often for days at a time) see moresee less type of: fire warden, forest fire fighter, ranger an official who is responsible for managing and protecting an area of forest

Pronunciation US /kaɪˈjoʊɾi/ UK /kəˈjʌʊti/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing coyote

English Words Derived from Nahuatl

Nahuatl is an Uto-Aztecan language spoken by about 1.5 million people in central Mexico. Nahuatl was the language of the Aztec empire, and as long ago as that may be, traces of the language's influence can still be felt today. These 15 words, many of which are common in English, derive ultimately from Nahuatl, pre-dating the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

Unit 1, Words to Know

Learn these words from Code X, Course I, Unit 1.

This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for October 8–October 14, 2022

Stories about Indigenous People's Day, urban coyotes, and a cursed concert hall all contributed words to this list of vocabulary from the week's news.

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