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.

“They are unwilling to depart with their wealth,” said John Duffy, an economics professor at the University of California, Irvine.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Prospectors panned for gold throughout Northern and Central California.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The conditions may also make coastal California feel more humid and muggy because of the loss of cooling fog and because warmer air holds more moisture, according to Swain.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the case returns to the judge to determine damages and penalties.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

I wanted to ask her questions about the beaches and water in Florida, to see if she remembers anything, if it’s totally different than it is in California.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy