Definition

A large rodent that lives near water in South America and can grow to be quite long, often more than four feet.

Example

The capybara is known for being very social and often lives in groups near rivers and lakes.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a capybara in real life?

No, I haven't! Are they as big as people say?

Yeah, they're surprisingly large and pretty friendly too.

I would love to meet one; they seem so interesting!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Capybara comes from the Spanish word 'capibara', which is derived from the Tupi word 'ka'api' (meaning grass) and 'wara' (meaning water). The word refers to a large rodent that is often found near water and feeds on grass.

Memory Tip

Think of 'grass' ('ka'api') and 'water' ('wara') to remember that a capybara is a large rodent that lives near water and eats grass.

Visually Confused Words