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.

California has a 1.2% payroll tax on wages with no income cap.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Los Angeles County, with 80 school districts, has far more students than any other California county, so its effect on statewide enrollment always will be significant.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

“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

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

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

California had been in a drought for ten of the thirteen years she’d been alive.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz