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Definition of coyote

coyote

/kaɪˈoʊ.ti/
coy · o · te
Plural:coyotes
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coyote Lexical Profile

coyote Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A slender, wolf-like wild canid (Canis latrans) native to North America, known for its distinctive howling and highly adaptable scavenging nature.

Example

"The ranchers built taller fences to protect their sheep from a prowling coyote."

2

North American A person who illegally smuggles immigrants across the border from Latin America into the United States.

Example

"The migrants paid a coyote a large sum of money to guide them safely through the treacherous desert."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for coyote

• Rhymes for coyote

• Nearby Words

coy
coyly
coyness
coyote
cozily
coziness
cozy

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Mexican Spanish 'coyote', which ultimately derives from the Nahuatl word 'coyōtl'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Coyote. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/coyote
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