California

[kal-uh-fawrn-yuh, -fawr-nee-uh] / ˌkæl əˈfɔrn yə, -ˈfɔr ni ə /

NOUN

u.s. state

Synonyms

WEAK

Bear Flag State Cal El Dorado Gold Coast Gold Rush State Golden Bear State Golden Poppy State Golden State La La Land Sunkist State

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Meanwhile, Becerra, a California native, served as the state's attorney general and as the nation's health secretary under Democratic President Joe Biden.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Steve Hilton, a former top adviser to ex-UK Prime Minister David Cameron and a former Fox News host, will advance as one of two candidates in the race for California governor, US media outlets project.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

“We’re all on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what the Supreme Court does,” said Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Jim Ross, a veteran California political consultant who didn’t work for either side of the proposal, said Lurie’s opposition made the measure a tough sell to voters given the mayor’s consistently high approval ratings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

“You couldn’t do the analysis. You couldn’t say, ‘Give me all the ones with all California in them.’

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis