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.

There are an estimated 60,000 black bears in California.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

This union is one of the most powerful in the hospitality industry, and represents more than 32,000 workers in California and Arizona.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Since prediction markets are legal nationwide, the sportsbooks have an opportunity to onboard customers in populous states that haven’t legalized traditional sports betting, such as Texas and California.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

California currently provides a grace period for ballots to be counted as long as they are postmarked by and received within seven days of election day.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

It wasn’t a question two thirty-something would-be professional investors in Berkeley, California, with $110,000 in a Schwab account should feel it was their business to answer.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis