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.

One X user posted a meme with a photo of fictional Italian gangster Tony Soprano saying, “I don’t want any California bulls—.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

The Aloha State now vies with California for highest income-tax rate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Freezing temperatures and heavy rain in California — the dominant supplier of cauliflower in the United States — heavily impacted production and fresh harvests, driving up prices.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

The investigation comes after California attorney general Rob Bonta sent a letter to Fifa, external raising concerns about "potentially misleading ticketing practices" earlier this month.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Then I visit the site that tells you about California prisoners, my hands hovering over the keyboard.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko