Slangora

kokama

A variety of corn with purple kernels cultivated by the Hopi.

koʊˈkɑməDocumented since 1870sSilenthistorical327 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
3 definitions
Community

Etymology timeline

Born ~1876 · no dated citations yet
1876BornToday, 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

Global
#1·Apr 27, 2026Global

A variety of corn with purple kernels cultivated by the Hopi.

The Gemsbok (Oryx capensis) is sometimes called the kokama, is nearly four feet in height, and has South Africa as its habitat.
Heard in the wild
  • “Today, the Kokama live in the countries of [Peru](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peru "Peru"), [Brazil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil "Brazil"), and [Colombia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia "Colombia").”

  • “The robust dialect is known as Cocama, Kokama, Kukama-Kukamiria, Ucayali, Xibitaoan, Huallaga, Pampadeque, and Pandequebo.”

  • “If an [internal link](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:WhatLinksHere/Kokama&namespace=0) incorrectly led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.”

Was this helpful?

Comments

Global
#2·Apr 27, 2026Global

(Bechuana) A gemsbok.

I have heard that the Matabili have no name for this animal; but the Bechuana term is "Kokama."
For parents

"kokama" means a gemsbok. It is one of many casual words teens pick up from friends, social media, music or sport, and on its own it carries no particular warning. If you hear your teen use it, it is fair to ask what they mean by it in their friend group, since meanings drift quickly. Asking out of curiosity rather than alarm tends to keep the conversation open and useful.

For ESL learners

"kokama" is informal English meaning a gemsbok. It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "a gemsbok" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "kokama" can replace its standard equivalent in every register; keep it for spoken or casual situations and use the formal form in writing. If you are a B2 or C1 learner, it is useful to recognise this word when you hear or read it, but think carefully about whether the situation really calls for it before using it yourself.

Was this helpful?

Comments

Global
#3·Apr 27, 2026Global

(India) A mangosteen.

The Oryx capensis of South Africa, or Gemsbok of the Dutch colonists, Kokama of the Bechuanas, is even more striking in its coloring.
Was this helpful?

Comments

Used in

Global

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "kokama".

Add definition

🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "kokama" (K)

Browse all slang words starting with K.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related