What does chihuahua mean?
A chihuahua is a remarkably small dog belonging to one of the oldest breeds native to the Americas, named after the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. Characterized by a rounded skull, large upright ears, and either a smooth or long coat, the chihuahua is classified as a toy breed and is prized as a companion animal. Despite its tiny size, the breed has a reputation for alertness and a bold, sometimes feisty temperament, which makes it a popular but occasionally challenging pet. The word also denotes the state of Chihuahua itself, Mexico's largest state by area, a region of deserts and mountains on the US border. In everyday usage, 'chihuahua' almost always refers to the dog, and it frequently appears in phrases like teacup chihuahua. Both the animal and the place share a name whose deeper linguistic origins are uncertain, though it predates Spanish colonization.
A very small dog of a Mexican toy breed with a rounded head, large erect ears, and either a smooth or long coat.
"Her chihuahua fit comfortably inside her handbag."
Usually lowercase when referring to the dog; commonly used attributively, as in 'chihuahua puppy'.
A state in northern Mexico, the largest in the country by area, bordering the United States.
"They drove across Chihuahua on their way to the Copper Canyon."
Standard English plural; used for multiple dogs of the breed. The place name is not normally pluralized.
"Three chihuahuas competed in the toy-dog category at the show."
The world's smallest dog breed is named after a Mexican state — and it's thought to descend from dogs kept by the ancient Toltec civilization.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chihuahua
The word chihuahua comes from the name of the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where the dog breed is believed to have originated. The state's name derives ultimately from an indigenous language of the region, most likely Nahuatl or a related Uto-Aztecan tongue, though its precise original meaning remains disputed. Spanish adopted the place name during the colonial period, and English borrowed it in the nineteenth century once the dog breed became known internationally.
How chihuahua is actually used
When referring to the dog breed, the word is typically lowercase and may be used attributively (a chihuahua pup); when referring to the Mexican state, it is capitalized. The plural form is chihuahuas.