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.

In February 2025, 65% of those with accommodations passed the California bar compared with 58% of all test takers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Kavanagh’s daily wrap-up developed an audience among political insiders — lawmakers, lobbyists, legislative staffers — and then a following that grew to include other reporters and, eventually, readers throughout California and beyond.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reportedly had to take a pay cut as a rookie after leaving the University of Southern California.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

California law says its voter-ID rules “shall be liberally construed to permit voters and new registrants to cast a regular ballot.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

But Mike Burry was holed up in his office in San Jose, California, and wasn’t talking to anyone.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis