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Glite Dictionary
Sagebrush State

Sagebrush State

6.8
A nickname for the US state Nevada because it has many sagebrush plants
  • proper noun
  • /ˈseɪdʒˌbrʌʃ steɪt/
  • US
translation icon : Estado de la Artemisa
  • Nevada is often called the Sagebrush State because of its native plant life.

Examples

  • Tourists visiting the Sagebrush State can explore vast deserts and scenic mountains.

  • The history of the Sagebrush State is closely tied to mining and ranching.

  • The Sagebrush State is beautiful.

  • Visit the Sagebrush State!

  • Nevada is often called the Sagebrush State because of its native plant life.

  • The history of the Sagebrush State is closely tied to mining and ranching.

  • Tourists visiting the Sagebrush State can explore vast deserts and scenic mountains.

Synonyms

Nevada
vsSagebrush State
292 1.0

A state in the western United States known for its deserts and Las Vegas

is a nickname based on local plant abundance not a place name
Silver State
vsSagebrush State
  • US
5.8

A nickname for Nevada from its history of silver mining

names it for local plant abundance rather than mining
Battle Born State
vsSagebrush State
5.8

A nickname for Nevada because it became a state during the American Civil War

names it for local plant abundance rather than historical admission

Surface Forms

Sagebrush State main

Morphology

sagebrush + state

This is a straightforward, descriptive nickname formed by combining 'sagebrush' (a shrub) with 'state' to indicate a state characterized by sagebrush; a B1 learner who knows both words can infer it refers to a state notable for sagebrush (Nevada). The pattern noun + 'state' as a place nickname is cross-linguistically common (e.g. 'Sunshine State'), so the meaning is compositionally transparent.

Etymology

Sagebrush State comes from the many small, grey-green bushes called sagebrush that grow across large parts of Nevada. Because those plants are so common, people use the phrase as a short 'nickname' for the state.