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Glite Dictionary
Coyote State

Coyote State

6.3
A nickname for the US state South Dakota referring to the coyote
  • proper noun
  • /kaɪˈoʊti steɪt/
  • US
: Estado Coyote
  • South Dakota is often called the Coyote State because the coyote is its state animal.

Examples

  • Travel brochures frequently refer to South Dakota as the Coyote State.

  • Have you ever visited the Coyote State?

  • I learned in school that the Coyote State is another name for South Dakota.

  • South Dakota is often called the Coyote State.

  • I learned in school that the Coyote State is another name for South Dakota.

  • South Dakota is often called the Coyote State because the coyote is its state animal.

  • Travel brochures frequently refer to South Dakota as the Coyote State.

Synonyms

South Dakota
vsCoyote State
93 1.6

A state in the north-central United States known for Mount Rushmore and the Badlands

is an informal nickname based on an animal rather than the official name
S.D.
vsCoyote State
7 1.0

Short form for the state South Dakota in the United States

is the animal-inspired informal nickname rather than a written abbreviation
SD
vsCoyote State
6 1.0

Short form for the state South Dakota in the United States

is an animal-based informal nickname instead of a short written abbreviation
Mount Rushmore State
vsCoyote State
1 5.9

A nickname for the United States state South Dakota

refers to the state using an animal symbol as its nickname

Surface Forms

Coyote State main

Morphology

coyote + state

The phrase transparently combines 'coyote' (an animal) and 'state' (a political region) to indicate a state associated with or nicknamed for the coyote. This animal‑based nickname pattern is common in English (e.g. 'Beehive State'), so a B1 learner who knows both words can readily infer the meaning even if they don't know the specific reference to South Dakota.

Etymology

Coyote State is a nickname that comes from the coyote being the 'state animal' of South Dakota, so people used the animal's name for the place. That's why calling a place the Coyote State means 'South Dakota'.