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.

Because of the reporter shortage, about 72% of these cases between April 2023 and June 2025 had no verbatim record, according to the Judicial Branch of California.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

Coastal Southern California, which had the third-wettest season in record within the last 15 years, can expect a typical wildfire season, fire weather analysts predict.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

In California, nearly half of active court reporter licenses were issued at least 30 years ago, the state’s judicial branch says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 13, 2026

The victim, whose identity has not been released, was the second to die in the state as tropical storms in the Pacific Ocean send a powerful south swell to California.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

Apparently the Palmers were the only family in Northern California who chose to visit Magpie Campground that day.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret