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nutria

The fur of the coypu.

/nˈutɹiʌ/Documented since 1840sSilenthistoricalCurrent190 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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2 definitions
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Etymology timeline

Born ~1841 · 1 year of recorded use
1841Born2026: 1 citationToday, 2026

Seen in the wild

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Global
#1·Apr 27, 2026Global

The fur of the coypu.

: Nutria are native to South America and were successfully established in North America in the early 1930s as a new furbearing species.
Heard in the wild
  • “Photograph: WWL Louisiana [View image in fullscreen](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/13/neuty-the-nutria-dies-cancer#img-1) Neuty the nutria became a Lousiana legend after his family fought the state to keep him as a pet.”

  • “# Nutria Nutria Semi-aquatic rodent from South America For the color, see [Nutria (color)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutria_(color) "Nutria (color)").”

  • “Cut open along the back (left), along the belly part (right). **Nutria fur** is a type of fur obtained from the [nutria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutria "Nutria"), which is also known as the **coypu**, beaver rat or swamp beaver.”

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Global
#2·Apr 27, 2026Global

(chiefly, North America) The coypu, .

1986, Identifying and Managing Aquatic Rodents in Texas, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, [https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Uc5PAQAAMAAJ&q=%22nutria%22%7C%22nutrias%22&dq=%22nutria%22%7C%22nutrias%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=…
For parents

"nutria" means the coypu, . 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

"nutria" is informal English meaning the coypu, . It is used widely across English varieties. A more formal or neutral equivalent would be something like "the coypu" expressed in standard vocabulary. A common mistake is to assume "nutria" 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.

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