Javelina means: A peccary ( spp.), especially a collared peccary ().. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
javelina
(North America) A peccary ( spp.), especially a collared peccary ().
Definitions
#1·Apr 27, 2026
(North America) A peccary ( spp.), especially a collared peccary ().
The Javelina (Peccari) is an animal peculiar so far as I know to Spanish America.
Origin: From , jabalina, feminine form of wild boar, from (in mountain pig), from . Cognate with , and similar in other Iberian languages. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents
Javelina means: A peccary ( spp.), especially a collared peccary ().. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
For ESL learners
javelina means: A peccary ( spp.), especially a collared peccary ().. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.
Cluster: general
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For specific readers
Why is this section here?
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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