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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
translation icon : 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
20 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
SD
vsCoyote State
12 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
5.9

A nickname for the United States state South Dakota

refers to the state using an animal symbol as its nickname
S.D.
vsCoyote State
1.0

Short form for the state South Dakota in the United States

is the animal-inspired informal nickname rather than a written abbreviation

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'.