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.

University of Southern California education professor Patricia Burch questioned giving major funding to companies whose programs haven’t undergone evidence-based scrutiny.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine are now exploring that possibility.

From Science Daily • Apr. 22, 2026

Yourex was charged with mailing in ballots for the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election and the 2022 primary election, according to the district attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Since then, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Utah have successfully voted to change their districts.

From Salon • Apr. 22, 2026

Akira and Sue limped through a patch of California lilac and white firs, the fire hissing and growling somewhere behind them.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz