chaparral

[ shap-uh-ral, chap- ]

noun

, Southwestern U.S.

1. a dense growth of shrubs or small trees.

chaparral

/ ˌtʃæpəˈræl; ˌʃæp- /

noun

1. (in the southwestern US) a dense growth of shrubs and trees, esp evergreen oaks

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaparral¹

1835–45, Americanism; < Spanish, equivalent to chaparr ( o ) evergreen oak (< Basque tshapar ) + -al collective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of chaparral¹

C19: from Spanish, from chaparra evergreen oak

Example Sentences

Camarillo sits in a chaparral ecosystem — one dominated by dry fire-loving brush that, as a natural part of the ecosystem’s life cycle, routinely burns.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’ve read about this rivalry for years,” said Beierly, who played at Chaparral last season.

From Los Angeles Times

Centennial closes out the regular season with games against Norco and Chaparral.

From Los Angeles Times

Hike back down the Beach Trail from the visitors center through chaparral and sandy bluffs to the shore at Flat Rock, where rain has eroded deep arroyos into the 300-foot sandstone escarpments.

From Los Angeles Times

There was a 53-yard strike to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt in which Beierly, a transfer from Chaparral who has committed to Washington, threw a perfect deep spiral.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forest
• wasteland
• wood