yak — a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and central Asia
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and central Asia
Pronunciation (IPA): /jæk/
Example Sentences
- The tourists were amazed by the fluffy yak that looked like a walking carpet.
- She kept yakking on the phone for three hours straight.
- The yak's hair was so long that the herder needed a comb the size of a rake.
yak
NOUN[/jæk/]
a large long-haired wild or domesticated ox of Tibet and central Asia

Long-haired Tibetan ox

The yak carries its pack on its back!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Tibetan 'gyag', a term used by Himalayan nomadic peoples to refer to this mountain bovine. The word entered English in the mid-19th century through direct contact with Tibetan-speaking regions and trade routes.
Breakdown
Tibetan gyag underwent phonetic simplification when adopted into English, with the initial retroflex consonant shifting to a simpler velar sound, resulting in the English form 'yak'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The tourists were amazed by the fluffy yak that looked like a walking carpet.”
“She kept yakking on the phone for three hours straight.”
“The yak's hair was so long that the herder needed a comb the size of a rake.”
“Tibetan nomads depend on yaks for transportation and dairy products.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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